Nicanor Perlas speaks at the MAH

The 21st century is the Age of Science and Technology. It is also the Age in which humanity faces a unique and unprecedented challenge. This is the challenge of Artificial Intelligence (AI). If properly developed and aligned with the values of humanity, AI will bring tremendous benefits to society. However, if AI is used inappropriately, it could undermine human civilization. Some talk about the possible emergence of so-called “Artificial Super Intelligence” (ASI), leading humanity down a possibly irreversible path. The next ten or twenty years may tell the tale. Scientists, philosophers and engineers call this latter possibility the “alignment challenge” or “existential risk” of AI. The fate of our future lies literally in our hands.

Nicanor Perlas will look at the spiritual science behind the question of how humanity can address this challenge. What are the trends and forces emerging in society that can help deal with this threat? The lecture will cover an overview of the challenge as well as reveal what citizens and a more spiritually inspired scientific revolution in the mainstream can do to enable AI technologies to serve humanity instead of leading us towards our demise.



The lecturer will draw from the substance of his newly published book, “Humanity’s Last Stand; The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence; A Spiritual-Scientific Response”.



Nicanor Perlas will also be speaking at the Right Livelihood Summer College at the University of California Santa Cruz on June 6, 2019 and leading the Right Livelihood Summer Institute from July 8 to 12, 2019.

At the Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz