The central propulsion of Portals of Perception is an inquiry about how we humans evolve with our consciousness and perception, and where and how the future emerges.
In this conversation, we are seeking to understand and appreciate how the nature of human experience and perception interrelates with technology. In other words, how our natural human capabilities and cognition correspond with and shape and then are influenced by the technologies we build and how these cross-pollinate and influence each other.
Some researchers see in the advance of technology unlimited potential to support emerging communities and human growth and learning; others see a danger in its expanding influence.
In this conversation, Aviv Shahar and two global researchers on the leading edge of technology development explore the evolution of artificial intelligence and its implications for the evolution of humanity.
People consider that technology is something that is separate from the person themselves. My view on this is that, actually, technology is a representation of our current state of mind. Technology has often followed what we have been doing or considering, and you see this as an example in the lead up to the Industrial Revolution. What we are now seeing is that technology has become a trigger for change, personally and socially.
Dr. Alan Litchfield
Being born with an intense curiosity about the world and at the same time confused by contradictions and unexplained patterns in society has led to a restless life of seeking and searching, penetrating into the purposes and reasons of existence throughout material and subtle worlds. As Director of the Service and Cloud Computing Research Lab at the Auckland University of Technology, much of that is presently focused on research into novel and new technologies and how they might mediate the empowerment of individuals. Also, this is expressed through the philosophy of science and the philosophy of technology in which there are enduring questions about the relationship between what people have expressed of themselves and created, what they thought would be the outcomes, what we all have to show for it, and what are the opportunities for betterment.
Also, being born of Māori (Ngāti Whatua, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Tainui) descent provides approaches and constructs that differ from the typically accepted western world view. This includes how a person relates to their environment, family, their past, present, and future, and the interrelationships that exist through all levels of self.
Wai (Albert) Yeap
When I first learned of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an undergraduate student, I was fascinated with the idea of creating a machine that is intelligent. I asked: “what is intelligence?,” and since then my fascination with AI is aimed at answering this question.
To me, the answer lies not in trying to define what intelligence is but, rather, in finding out how it comes about, from perception to cognition. While our ability to perform a task reveals how intelligent we are, my research as a professor of AI has shown one could perform well without understanding.
Recently, I developed an approach whereby I empower a robot with a basic model of spatial cognition and show how the robot’s process could be extended to perform behaviorally, like other species. I hope, one day, the mystery of the mind could be unlocked, thereby allowing us to transcend from our biological self into infinity.
Aviv Shahar
Aviv is the Founder of Aviv Consulting, helping leaders unleash strategic innovation, and is the author of Create New Futures: How Leaders Produce Breakthroughs and Transform the World Through Conversation.
