Last year, in a post titled "Game changers in science and technology: The next 10 years, 2053 and the limits of knowledge, what we will never know" I highlighted a paper co-authored by Ulrich A.K. Betz alongside leading researchers from top universities, exploring transformative topics such as AI, biotechnology, and future resources. The paper envisions a new golden age for polymaths, fueled by universal access to knowledge and cutting-edge technologies.
In an intriguing continuation of this line of thought, a recent paper published in the journal Patterns by two American researchers puts forward the argument for nurturing AI-enabled polymaths as a strategic priority. These polymaths, empowered by the capabilities of AI, could help bridge the existing divide between the rapidly evolving theoretical advancements in fields like artificial intelligence and the practical applications necessary for societal transformation. The paper suggests that by fostering this kind of polymathic talent, we could accelerate our journey toward achieving artificial general intelligence https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266638992400271X
While AI-enabled polymaths offer great potential, they also raise important questions. How will their rise reshape global knowledge, power dynamics, and intellectual capital? What impact will this transformation have on societies and existing inequalities? As I noted in 2023, in my commentary on The Economist's article about AI's transformative potential, we must carefully balance the opportunities AI provides with the risks it poses. If knowledge becomes concentrated in the hands of a few, it could worsen global disparities, undermining the UN’s efforts to reduce inequality between the world’s richest and poorest nations. https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-economist-ai-can-accelerate.html
PS - On October 8, I highlighted Professor Ingold's seminal work, Being Alive. Interestingly, AI-enabled polymaths align profoundly with the principles outlined in his book, exemplifying an approach to knowledge that is deeply interconnected, relational, and holistic. https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2024/10/ingolds-blueprint-for-world-beyond.html
