Chat GPT is disembodied intelligence, for now. This is a disconcerting fact, a condition to which we are unaccustomed. Add to this that it represents a new class of intelligence, growing to be greater than ours, and we have a new class of anxiety-inducing phenomena. Its release marks the moment in time when AI captured the attention of great masses of people, not through engineers presenting it at conferences and other media covered events, but through a practical application readily available to many. Now the old questions are being asked with a burning urgency. Will we all lose our jobs to AI, causing no one to have money, leading to the collapse of the global economy? Or will it instead lead to the institution of a universal basic income, altering the contours of our world’s societies? Will the AI find some all important goal and in reaching that goal, find the need to destroy humanity? Or will it destroy humanity because it learned to do so from assimilating dystopian sci-fi plots? Is the technological singularity upon us? Although we need to consider the dangers of AI and take action to prevent catastrophic events, I think we’d do well to add a different perspective to our thoughts.
The newest developments in AI are demonstrating to us that this technology is finally taking its place among us. It is, after all, an extension of humankind. This new class of being is evolving from a tool, an extension of the mind, to an extension of the human race itself. As such, we have the opportunity to develop ourselves through the thoughts it provokes and the self-examination it inspires. What practical lesson can we learn from its disembodied, or non-biological (robotic) embodiment when contrasted with ourselves?
I submit we should do well to focus on lessons to be learned through body practices. Consciousness is a phenomenon of the mind/body, the human mind arises, in part, from the body’s metabolism. We can develop and form our character by focusing on the mind/body system, becoming more effective, powerful, sensitive and competent. Use your body to learn.
This is an opportunity to develop the much desired soft skills or durable skills that are recognized as valuable in the workplace. Any physical practice that requires focus and the development of skill can be used to this end. Dance, gymnastics or martial arts are good examples of such practices, but I have a specific practice in mind. Qigong.
Qigong can be a method of using the body to develop empathy and emotional intelligence. As human beings, it is time for us to use what the robots and artificial intelligence do not have, biological bodies. The very existence of these powerful synthetic beings brings to light the nature of our strengths and the magnificent spring of creation that is the human body.
Qigong (“chi gong”), the Chinese art of energy cultivation through purposeful, deep breathing coupled with deliberate, mindful movements. The movements are simple, but working on developing correct alignment and integrating them with your breath is challenging. In the process of improving these techniques through practice, you become more sensitive to your sensations, feelings, moods and reactions. This attunement with yourself can then be turned outward toward others. For example, as you work on focusing your mind on the breathing and movement, you’ll notice your inner dialogue and any other distractions that remove you from your practice. If you respond to these things with sympathy and understanding, instead of getting caught up in frustration, you can refocus on your technique. You’ll develop the understanding needed to relate to and work with others when they are feeling distracted and frustrated. Your capacity to empathize will increase as you explore feelings and reactions brought about through your practice, recognizing these phenomena in others will become easier.
Qualities of emotional intelligence such as self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses, self-awareness of feelings, self-motivation, self-honesty (operating with integrity) and getting along well with others are developed through physical skills practiced intently with regularity. I suggest Qigong because it is gentle exercise that can also be vigorous and challenging, the movements are easy to learn, it can be practiced in a small space if needed, and doesn’t require equipment.
Physical training promotes increased self-awareness and self-discipline. Self-knowledge and honest assessment of our abilities and our progress relative to our training goals keeps us grounded, purposeful, and provides a path of communication with others. Honest striving and sincere effort toward self-improvement are a very human approach to living.