The Kind of AI We Actually Need | Van Jones | TED

Overview

Van Jones explores the rapid evolution of technology and its implications for humanity, advocating for a new kind of AI—Ancient and Ancestral Intelligence. He calls for a partnership between Big Tech and grassroots communities to ensure that technological advancements lead to a more humane and inclusive civilization.

Notable Quotes

- We are in danger of building this brave new world with all this data and no wisdom. – Van Jones, on the need for Ancient and Ancestral Intelligence.

- Abundance without participation feels like scarcity. – Van Jones, critiquing the unequal distribution of technological benefits.

- We’ve replaced ‘I have a dream’ with ‘I have a complaint.’ – Van Jones, urging grassroots movements to focus on hope and collaboration.

🌐 The Rise of a New Human Civilization

- Van Jones highlights the unprecedented changes shaping the future, from AI-driven relationships to biotech-designed families and spacefaring societies.

- He questions whether this new civilization will remain human and civilized, emphasizing the need for technologies that promote human flourishing rather than domination.

- The adaptation gap between exponentially advancing technology and the slower evolution of human capabilities is identified as a critical challenge.

📉 The Risks of Technological Inequality

- Jones warns that technological abundance without inclusion leads to feelings of scarcity, humiliation, and social unrest.

- He draws parallels to prison dynamics, where humiliation can turn desperation into danger, cautioning against creating a society where many feel left behind.

- He critiques Big Tech's promises of abundance, urging companies to focus on equitable participation rather than empty assurances.

🛠️ A New Deal Between Big Tech and Humanity

- Jones calls for a new social contract where tech companies prioritize humanity over greed and speed.

- He emphasizes the importance of integrating Ancient and Ancestral Intelligence—wisdom from cultural traditions, spirituality, and grassroots communities—to guide ethical decision-making in tech.

- Examples of successful collaborations include AI tools for expunging criminal records, improving social work, and increasing AI literacy among underserved populations.

🤝 Bridging the Grassroots and Tech Divide

- Jones critiques grassroots movements for being overly focused on blame and division, urging them to call people in rather than call people out.

- He advocates for partnerships between grassroots leaders and engineers to co-create solutions that address real-world challenges.

- Highlighted initiatives include LinkedIn for formerly incarcerated individuals, AI-driven social work tools, and programs to democratize AI education.

🌱 A Vision for Hope and Collaboration

- Jones envisions a future where Big Tech embraces sharing and caring, and grassroots movements adopt grace and inclusivity.

- He emphasizes the need to multiply friends, not enemies, to build a civilization rooted in love, hope, and collective progress.

- This collaborative approach, he argues, will become the Ancestral Intelligence that future generations will rely on.