Intergenerational Aspects of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

ABSTRACT: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming human societies. In the many attempts to capture the novel trend of AI entering in all aspects of human life these days, hardly any research covers intergenerational aspects of AI encroaching society. Intergenerational aspects concern all features of the interaction and interrelatedness of overlapping generations. In the long-term evolution of AI, intergenerational transfers that resemble human family compounds should be considered. When analyzing the relation of AI with intergenerational human features, benefits as well as costs and risks are highlighted. As for the benefits in the interaction of AI with human beings, information storage opportunities of AI allow for more intergenerational transfers and richer communication opportunities between generations than ever before in the history of humankind. Intergenerational potentials of AI must also be evaluated with caution for AI aspects that may impose negative externalities for society. The eternally living character of AI raises questions of sustainability and the fear of crowding out humanness in the artificial age exist. Overall, AI development must be staged with a logic of cost and benefits weighting in order to ensure to harvest the upsides of AI with attention for potential downfalls and risks. All these efforts will help fostering richer and more efficient collaboration among generations but also ensure equitable, sustainable and inclusive AI development. KEYWORDS: artificial intelligence, cultural transmission, ethics, intergenerational equity, sustainable development, workforce evolution