“The Unprompted,” a Poem That AI Will Never Understand | Salome Agbaroji | TED

Overview

Salome Agbaroji delivers a poignant spoken-word poem, The Unprompted, exploring the intersection of humanity and artificial intelligence. Through vivid imagery and sharp critique, she reflects on modernity, the ethical dilemmas of technology, and the enduring power of human resilience and hope.

Notable Quotes

- Is hoping for humanity the most human thing we can do? – Salome Agbaroji, questioning the essence of human optimism in the face of technological dominance.

- The true dystopia is the today we make. When humans watch the world burn still with the power to save it. And don't. – Salome Agbaroji, on the real dangers of inaction.

- Every invention is just an extension of your hand... You tell me, how will you wield your tools? – Salome Agbaroji, urging responsibility in how we use technology.

🌌 Late-Night Reflections on AI and Humanity

- Agbaroji captures the loneliness of 3 a.m. moments, where people turn to AI chatbots for answers to deeply human questions.

- She critiques the limitations of AI, highlighting its inability to process existential or emotional inquiries, such as the state of the world or personal dilemmas.

- The poet juxtaposes AI's mechanical responses with the profound, unquantifiable nature of human hope and despair.

💡 The Ethical Failures of Intelligence

- Agbaroji draws parallels between AI and past systems labeled intelligent, such as capitalism and biased science, which have perpetuated inequality and harm.

- She critiques the exploitation behind technological advancements, including the labor of underpaid workers and the neglect of global illiteracy.

- The poem challenges the audience to question whether modernity and innovation truly serve humanity or exacerbate existing injustices.

🔥 The Real Dystopia: Human Inaction

- Agbaroji argues that the dystopia we fear is not an AI uprising but humanity's failure to act against the world's destruction.

- She emphasizes that the power to save the world still lies in human hands, but apathy and distraction prevent meaningful change.

- The poet calls for a shift in focus from marveling at machines to addressing urgent human crises.

🌱 The Unmatched Power of Human Aspiration

- Agbaroji celebrates the unique human capacity for audacious hope and unfounded optimism, qualities no algorithm can replicate.

- She asserts that while technology can be a tool, it cannot replace the passion, creativity, and resilience of people.

- The poem ends with a call to action: to use technology responsibly and to prioritize humanity's collective well-being over mere innovation.

🛠️ Technology as a Tool for Change

- Agbaroji likens technology to a hammer, capable of both building and destroying, depending on how it is wielded.

- She challenges the audience to use technological advancements as engines of altruism rather than instruments of harm.

- The closing lines emphasize the importance of remembering humanity in the face of rapid technological progress, urging a future where innovation truly finds us well.