AI : A threat to human power? -- Isaac Asimov and his 'The Feeling of Power'

 

The Feeling of Power, which was published in 1958. is set in the distant future,where the people have already forgotten all their basic skills such as calculations and rudimentary skills including counting. It is implied that learning of coding has become too prominent and vital with the dominance of AI and computers in each and every field, and so such basic skills are not considered essential. Thus, this shows the defections caused in other fields, while the particular field of AI is perpetually given attention. While contemplating the expediting potential of AI, it is crucial to give a thought about the way it ruins the independence of men. As the title indicates The Feeling of Power is sensed by a man only when he is independent, and relies on nothing but himself. This idea of the author is vividly indicated by the end which goes like “Nine times seven, thought Shuman with deep satisfaction, is sixty-three, and I don't need a computer to tell me so. The computer is in my own head. And it was amazing the feeling of power that gave him.”

The story begins with the technician Myron Aub who identifies and learns the classical methods of multiplication and other problems in mathematics by studying the performance of old computers programmed by humans, as a hobby. Such a rudimentary skill has made Aub, a low-grade technician, who failed many tests in programming and landed ‘into the rut of unskilled labor', to stand ‘near such great men’. ‘"Aub! How much is nine times seven?" Aub hesitated a moment. His pale eyes glimmered with a feeble anxiety. "Sixty-three," he said ’. The way Aub gets anxious in answering their questions one by one,though his answers are all right, shows how programming and mechanical skills has been dominating and outshining all other fields irrespective of their significance in the society. 

According to the people, all the tasks concerned with any field are performed by computers and AI,including those of education. The minds of the people have become mechanized to such an extent that they think everything is computerized. This is conveyed through the author's incorporation of these exchanges between Shuman and General Weider, "A paper computer?" said the general. He looked pained. "No, sir," said Shuman patiently. "Not a paper computer. Simply a sheet of paper...?”

With the dominance of AI in crucial fields, human minds feel the value of computers superior to that of humans themselves. This is probably the outcome of its indulgence in the field of education, since it is the one more connected with the nourishment and cognitive growth of a child, including the development of perspectives. The aforesaid statement is dealt by the author through the decision made by Congressman Brant, along with the President. They initiate the plan to let an adequate sum of humans learn Aub's pencil -and-paper arithmetics, now named as ‘graphitics’ . They are made to learn from Aub through a secret plan called ‘Project Number’, so that they can replace computers in the Terrestrial Federation's war with Deneb, which has been conducted with ‘computers against computers’. This is planned to cut-off the cost of computers and to avoid any damages to their devices, inhumanly at the cost of lives of a number of humans. This illustrates the enormous value given to AI and technology, with the loss of humanity. Paradoxically, on the other hand, Aub, who has learnt his skills through old computers completely programmed by humans, is implied to have realized the value of human lives and the potential of the human mind by the way of his study. This fact throws light upon the significance of the human-based education system to enhance humanity among students. Eventually, at the end of the story, Aub feels too guilty about being the cause behind such an inhuman plan of higher authorities, and commits suicide. As for him, if he hadn't initiated this hobby, he would have avoided the upcoming peril to mankind. It is shown in his words, ”When Project Number began,I thought that others were wiser than I; that graphitics might be put to practical use as a benefit to mankind,.... But now I see it is to be used only for death and destruction. I cannot face the responsibility involved in having invented graphitics”.Thus, this AI-based education system is capable of becoming a threat to humanity.

Since the story is set in future, it is always open to interpretations and criticism. However, the above is my interpretation.

What about yours??