Direction and values ​​will be extremely important for surviving the AI ​​era. Values ​​play the role of a vector that gives humans a certain direction. Without values, even if science and technology such as AI advances and the economy grows, people will not be happy. (Kei Kitajima)

In developing this series on the “AI Era,” I’ve been reading a wide variety of books to understand the potential directions in which humans living in this era might be headed, and the values ​​swirling within people today. I intend to continue exploring diverse directions and values ​​through various books.
Why do I emphasize direction and values? Because I see AI as an exceptionally powerful engine.
If a project is guided in a certain direction and AI is used to achieve it, that project will progress in that direction at an incredible pace. If AI is used to drive a certain set of values, those values ​​will spread at an incredible rate.
As humans, what direction should we face, and what values ​​are best suited to us? By recognizing that direction and those values, and utilizing AI to support them, AI will be recognized as a force that improves people’s lives and advances the world.
By the way, what is value?
Value plays the role of a vector that gives humans a certain direction. Therefore, people who share the same values ​​can cooperate towards that direction.
Diversification of values ​​refers to a state where there are many directions and choices are available, while the absence of values ​​refers to a state where direction is lost.
Currently, there is much talk about the diversification of values, but on the other hand, it is also said to be an era of value absence.
If the direction that humanity should take is lost due to the absence of values, no matter how much science and technology such as AI advances and the economy grows, people will not be able to become happy, nor will disasters such as war be eliminated.
The era in which we live is such an era, and it can be said that the absence of values ​​actually increases the need for values.
From this perspective, I believe that establishing direction and values ​​will become extremely important, especially as we enter the age of AI.
When considering direction and values, I would like to refer to the “Overall Structure Diagram of the Lifeworld.” This diagram is quoted from “Philosophy: Approaches to Questions” (edited by Masahiko Kamikawa, Keiso Shobo). This work emphasizes the importance of individuals actively engaging in various aspects of their lives, and while it doesn’t necessarily focus on AI, it serves as a clear compass for considering direction and values.

It’s only a matter of time before AI permeates all areas of our lives, and it will have various impacts in each area.

In particular, it will likely have a significant impact on the areas of “economy,” “society,” “politics,” “common sense,” and “science” shown in the diagram. In any case, I would like to consider direction and values ​​by focusing on each of these areas.

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