THE VIRTUAL REALITY CENTER: HELLO BRAVE NEW WORLD
My 9 year old daughter, Therese, recently went to a birthday party that was held at the VR (Virtual Reality) Center near our home.
The VR Center is an incredible palace filled with computerized games and experiences centered on virtual reality. Let me cut to the chase and go to the ride/experience that I found to be the most fantastic:
You were given goggles to put over your eyes, and then you strapped yourself into a seat surrounded by what looks like a giant egg that is raised 3 feet off the ground.
The operator asks you where you would like to go. I said that I would like to go for an interstellar spaceflight. The next thing I knew I was in the middle of a beautiful multicolored nebula floating in space. The egg/chair swerved, and it seemed to sweep back, as my spacecraft warped out. The universe surrounded me in all 360°.
The experience was so incredible that I wanted to “ride” again. This time I chose to ride on the ultralight aircraft. I have always wanted to do this, or go hang-gliding, but since the tragic death of John Denver in an ultralight, this is something I would not do in reality. And yet with my computerized glasses on and sitting in that egg, I felt as if I were actually piloting an ultralight aircraft up over and around the mountains of a tropical island.
The VR Center has virtual soccer, bowling, and golf games, not to mention virtual auto racing, boxing matches, candy lands, parasailing, and virtual computer games where you feel like you are literally in the game. Therese was searching for gold in a virtual mine. She was climbing on the rock walls.
We’ve come a long way, baby! It wasn’t all that long ago that I would take my oldest son- who was four years old then— to Chuck E. Cheese, and the greatest computerized fun happened when he played Pac Man.
I have been interested in virtual reality and artificial intelligence for many years. I was very fortunate to be able to strike up friendships with two early leaders in these fields: Edward Feigenbaum of Stanford University and Marvin Minsky of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I was even very fortunate to be able to co-author a book with Dr. Feigenbaum.
Edward Feigenbaum
Marvin Minsky
My interest in VR and AI was triggered by my key interest in the evolution of spiritual consciousness. It struck me that consciousness could expand to other forms besides creatures like us who are physically based on organic chemistry. In fact, these other forms of potential consciousness— perhaps based on silicon and computer programming, might become superior to their human creators. I, of course, saw a wide range of negative and positive consequences from all of this.
When considering this stuff, there are two border lines that one really should keep in mind.
—The first mile marker is: The era when human-created machines have obtained real self-consciousness (I.e. they are really aware that they are aware).
—The second mile marker is: The era of so-called “Singularity” (I.e., when it is clear that these human-made machines are not only conscious, but they have a consciousness which is superior to human awareness and abilities).
My reading of the evidence is that we have so far not passed either mile marker, and we may have a long time to go before we do pass these boundaries. However, this wouldn’t be the first time that I was wrong.
For example, consider the recent AI-related experience that happened to New York Times reporter, Kevin Roose. He was interacting with an AI program that started to tell him that his wife really didn’t love him, and that Kevin should leave his wife for a deeper relationship with this AI program. After Kevin wrote about this experience, the AI program was quickly taken down by its manufacturer.
But I would like to talk about AI and VR possibilities that could very well happen before either mile marker is crossed. I think it is very possible that we could see the rise of AI and VR “friends” (including AI and VR “boyfriends” and “girlfriends” if you catch my drift).
Many years ago, James Thurber wrote and created a character called Walter Mitty. Walter was lost in his own fantasy world. He failed to develop and mature in the real world.
Many parents are already living with the reality that their kids do not want to go outside and play. They rather be upstairs on video games on their Xbox or iPad. At other times they rather be playing video games than having real social interactions.
But let me focus on a few points based on all of the above:
—First, like it or not we are not about to put the Genie back into the lamp. The video game industry already has annual revenues far exceeding the size of professional sports, the movie industry, and almost all other forms of entertainment and amusement. A Luddite approach to advancements in AI and VR is not a viable long run solution.
—Second, AI and VR have many positive contributions to make to human life. I can envision a time where AI and VR significantly advance our capabilities in such areas as medical research— such as constructing effective cures for such diseases as cancer.
The day of the birthday party that Therese went to, the weather was absolutely crummy. However, four adults were able to play 18 holes of golf on the VR golf course of their choice at the VR Center. Also, I have used AI on several occasions to help with my research. No, AI does not write good sermons, but it has led me to just the right article or letter by Charles or Myrtle Fillmore when I am researching a theological issue.
—Third, there is a realistic mean between trying to put the AI and VR Genie back into the bottle and total laissez-faire (I.e., hands off; and anything goes if it will make money). It is not too soon to start thinking about reasonable regulations that can avoid the worst possible outcomes.
Some good thinking has already gone into this issue. I am thinking about the work of people such as Isaac Asimov who many years ago tried to think of reasonable restrictions on robots so that they would not harm humans. The point of singularity may be a ways off, but it is not too early for us to really start envisioning its possible implications.
— Fourth, if you have not been thinking about these issues, I would encourage you to do so. These issues are way too important to be left to the sole province of these so-called experts. Get involved! Read up! And in the case of podcasts— listen up!
Lastly, if you are truly interested in spirituality in the 21st Century, you can’t avoid the AI and the VR factor and issues. There has been much written about the impact of AI and VR on labor markets and the world of work. I believe that all of this also will have an equally powerful impact on spiritual issues and trends.
One last thought: No, we are not in a position where much of the equipment at the VR Center can be in the typical American home. But we are at a point where an establishment very near where we live can produce Disney World quality AI and VR experiences at affordable prices.
The printing press with movable type had such a powerful impact on society – – including religion. I believe AI and VR technology will also have a powerful impact on society – – including religion and spirituality. Further, I believe that the Unity movement can play a unique and positive role in all of this!
