Bc. Boros Aranka
Universita J. Selyeho
Finančný manažment
1EMPdm22
The video presents the main ideas of Yuval Noah Harari’s book Homo Deus regarding the future of humanity. The first part of the video discusses how, in the past, people depended on religion and faith to give their life purpose, but that today, people rely more on science and technology. Dr. Harari asks big questions about humanity, including how we became the dominant species and what makes us special. The remainder of the video explains how Harari thinks that the next stage of human evolution will include turning us into gods, or at the very least, god-like beings. In his speech he also mentioned the future, how human life will change in the coming decades and centuries as a result of human development and technological revolutions. Yuval Noah Harari discusses the potential impacts of technologies and artificial intelligence on human society, the world of work, the economy, and the human experience.
Harari argues that religion, corporations, nations, rights, and money are all invented concepts by which man has created society and cooperation. In my personal opinion is that the uniqueness of human existence lies not only in the ability to cooperate and adapt, but also in self-reflection, self-knowledge, creativity, and the expression of emotions. Man has the ability to dream, think, plan for the future, create culture and art, and understand the values of beauty, truth, and morality.
According to Harari, the next stage of humanity’s development may not be the human race (Homo sapiens), but beings that have artificially or biologically improved the human body and mind and thus transformed into a more advanced, stronger and longer-lived species than Homo sapiens into creatures. Harari believes that in the next stage of human evolution, people will create advanced technologies that allow them to overcome physical and mental limitations. However, people are not dying out as humans, but the development path of the species continues on the way that the members of humanity become more and more intertwined with technology and new technological solutions. In the time of our parents and grandparents, technology was still very limited and most people were much less dependent on electronic devices and internet services. However, in recent decades, technological development has been explosive and has radically changed human life, with the spread of the Internet and smartphones creating communication tools, online shopping and financial transactions. The direction of human development is uncertain, but experts believe that technological progress will continue to play a key role in the evolution of humanity. Artificial intelligence could enable the extension of human life, improve the body, combat disease and ageing, and solve many of the world’s problems. However, these technologies can also have risks, such as endangering human life, limiting personal freedom, and lacking human solidarity. It is important for humanity to use and regulate these technologies properly to truly contribute to human progress.
Harari supports the view that business should elevate the person and not focus solely on profit. In a humanist economy, the customer is not necessarily always right, but serving people’s interests would be the primary consideration. In politics and economics, the customer and voter are the supreme authority, and there is no higher authority than human feelings. In the current economic climate, where profit maximization takes precedence above the interests of customers and employees, Harari’s perspective is crucial and pertinent. This may result in cruel acts, environmental damage, or a rise in social inequality. Instead, a humanistic strategy emphasizing people’s true values and wants can be the answer. An economy that prioritizes the pleasure and well-being of its citizens can be more sustainable and produce greater results for both businesses and its citizens.
The world-renowned historian and writer has spoken on numerous occasions about religious topics, including the Pope, the Bible and God. In his book “Homo Deus”, Harari claims that the current technological and scientific development of mankind gives man abilities that were previously attributed only to divine powers. According to him, humanity is gradually becoming like God, and this new godly man can be the next stage of human evolution. With this statement, Harari implies that human evolution will continue and that new technologies and abilities will be available that were previously unimaginable. The human race will become increasingly able to control its environment and influence life, which will undoubtedly bring enormous benefits and opportunities. The human race will not, however, be identical to god, and there is still much for us to learn and grow into before we reach such a great degree of power. Additionally, a balance between technology and humanity must be achieved in order to prevent mankind from losing its human values and empathy.
Harari argues that algorithms can be used to understand human emotions and behaviour, making them more accurate than what people know about themselves. This data-driven approach allows us to make more accurate and informed decisions, especially in areas where human emotions and behaviour patterns are important. However, human emotions, such as empathy and solidarity, still play a decisive role in human relationships and decision-making. According to Harari, Facebook and Google use people’s personal data to better understand people’s feelings and behaviour. Algorithms process and use this data to recommend personalized offers, ads and content to people. On the one hand, it may indeed be true that algorithms and artificial intelligence can in some ways understand human feelings and behaviours better than humans because they have a wider database and use a more objective approach. However, it is important to emphasize that algorithms lack human experience, empathic feelings and involvement in human relationships, which affect the full spectrum of human feelings and emotions. It’s arguable too that Facebook and Google know better how we feel and why we feel the way we do. Online platforms collect and use a huge amount of data, but this data does not necessarily reflect reality and people’s entire lives. In addition, online platforms also have their own goals and interests, which are not always the same as people’s interests. That’s why it’s important to use these tools consciously and not let them completely influence our feelings and decisions.
Although technological advances can bring many benefits, such as improving the quality of life, extending human life, and curing diseases, Harari emphasize that new technologies can also cause significant societal challenges, such as job losses and growth of economic inequalities. He asks people to think about how they can adapt to these changes and how they can preserve human values and human relationships in the midst of ever-increasing technological progress. The future of humanity in the coming decades and centuries will indeed be exciting and challenging, and those who are open to new technologies and ready to adapt to change are likely to succeed in meeting these challenges. The warning from Harari is crucial and timely. New technologies have had and will continue to have a significant impact on society and daily life, with both good and bad effects possible. For instance, automation would eliminate many jobs, which might provide significant economic issues, but it could also present chances for the emergence of new businesses and occupations. Humanity must be prepared for technological changes by developing education systems and labour market training. It is important to maintain human relationships and value human face-to-face interactions, communication and empathy. To preserve human values, people must think about technological development and its impact on them, such as equality, human dignity, empathy, cooperation, respect and values. People must recognize and incorporate these values into their daily lives, decisions and business and social practices. In addition to upholding human values and relationships, I believe it is critical that mankind wisely utilizes ever-evolving technology. It is important that people recognize the common problems of humanity and find solutions together, instead of living in disunity and conflict. Humanity must work together to ensure the sustainability of the planet and a better life for future generations.