Superagency

If we harness it correctly, we can achieve a new state of superagency.

If we harness it correctly, we can achieve a new state of superagency. Defining Superagency. Superagency is achieved when AI empowers individuals to operate at levels that compound through society. It's not just about some people becoming more informed; it's about everyone benefiting from AI's precision and efficiency, even those who don't directly use it. Intelligence and Energy. Human agency is driven by intelligence and energy. AI amplifies both, providing the capacity to weigh options and the power to act on aspirations. This marks a shift where synthetic intelligence becomes as deployable as synthetic energy, fueling progress. Transformative Impact. AI's impact is akin to the Industrial Revolution, creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and productivity. Education and skill development become even more critical, leading to a more knowledgeable and capable populace, ultimately expanding human potential.

Every new technology we’ve invented—from language, to books, to the mobile phone—has defined, redefined, deepened, and expanded what it means to be human. Humanism and Technology. Humanism and technology are integrative forces, not oppositional. Each new technology redefines what it means to be human. We create tools to amplify our capabilities, and these tools, in turn, shape us. Techno-Humanist Compass. A techno-humanist compass helps us navigate technological advancements while prioritizing human agency. It's dynamic, not deterministic, guiding us to paths where technology augments individual and collective agency. Prioritizing Human Agency. We must actively participate in defining and developing AI technologies to ensure they prioritize human agency. This involves pursuing equitable access to experiment with these technologies and using AI to address global threats.

The future isn’t something that experts and regulators can meticulously design—it’s something that society explores and discovers collectively. Collective Exploration. The future is not designed by experts but explored collectively. Iterative deployment involves learning as we go and using a techno-humanist compass to course-correct along the way. Flexibility and Adaptation. Iterative deployment favors flexibility over a grand master plan, making it easier to change pace, direction, and strategy when new evidence signals the need. It relies on user experience and feedback to inform ongoing development efforts. Sociological Underpinnings. This approach is sociologically minded, giving individuals and society time to adapt to changes. Trust starts with exposure and evolves with use, fostering a deeper understanding of new technologies.

Fundamentally, the surest way to prevent a bad future is to steer toward a better one that, by its existence, makes significantly worse outcomes harder to achieve. Collaboration and Competition. Collaboration and competition define us. Coordinating to ban or constrain a new technology is difficult, especially globally. The more powerful the technology, the harder the coordination problem. Steering, Not Stopping. Refusing to…