Antecedent
No prior reading is required.
Emergence
While studying physics, I often get depressed and skeptical about the future of academia due to artificial intelligence. I have known since the emergence of AlphaGo that vague concepts like 'creativity' are simply interactions of neurons and, therefore, can be superseded by man-made systems. However, it feels entirely different now that this is becoming a reality. In this state of mind, I found myself pondering the future status of scientists.
Stabilization
I needed historical precedents to infer what might happen. The first profession that came to mind was the artist, specifically regarding the impact of the camera. Since the conventional role of artists was to depict scenes in visual media, the camera was a technology that completely threatened their existence. In response, artists continually sought new ways to depict what the camera could not. However, if the purpose of a scientist is to unlock the absolute truth of nature, rather than the subjective concept of beauty, I think the artist's case is not directly comparable. Therefore, I searched for other analogies instead.
I arrived at the chess player. After Deep Blue and Stockfish, the previous role of the chess player—to find the best possible move—became technically obsolete. However, they successfully redefined their position. Their matches are still considered meaningful, even though computers can play much better, because they are human. This might be the possible future for scientists. AI will uncover oceans of truth, reaching much further than current frontier theories like the Standard Model and General Relativity. Yet, our role can still be valuable: to interpret these discoveries for humanity, to communicate them to the public, and to find the right metaphors.
Convergence
If this is the future, one question remains for me: 'Will this be meaningful enough to dedicate my entire life to?' I am genuinely afraid that someday I might realize I am merely putting on a clown's performance just because I am human. I have no idea. Apologies to the readers for this somewhat gloomy monologue.
Descendant
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