The Endpoint of Human History (According to Our Modern AI Oracles)

An oracle is a person or thing considered to provide wise and insightful counsel or prophetic predictions, most notably including precognition of the future, inspired by deities. If done through occultic means, it is a form of divination. (Wikipedia)

In ancient Greece, oracles were often priests or priestesses who were believed to be able to communicate with the gods. They would give advice to people who came to them, and they would also make predictions about the future. Some of the most famous oracles in ancient Greece were Delphi, Dodona, and Olympia.

In modern times, the term "oracle" is often used to refer to a computer system that provides information or answers to questions. For example, Google Search can be considered an oracle because it can provide answers to a wide variety of questions.

Against this backdrop I asked two AI systems to tell us what the endpoint of human history will be. Here are replies from these two 21st century "oracles."

Google Bard
The endpoint of human history is a difficult question to answer. There are many different possibilities, and it is impossible to say for sure what the future holds. However, some possible scenarios include:

• 
  Humanity achieves a utopian society. In this scenario, humans are able to overcome all of their problems and create a world that is free from war, poverty, and suffering. This would be a truly remarkable achievement, and it would represent the culmination of human history.
• Humanity destroys itself. This is perhaps the most pessimistic possibility. In this scenario, humans are unable to overcome their differences and they destroy themselves through war, environmental destruction, or some other means. This would be a tragic end to human history, but it is a possibility that we must take seriously.
• Humanity evolves into something new. It is also possible that humanity will evolve into something new. This could happen through genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, or some other means. If this happens, it is impossible to say what the future holds for this new species. However, it is possible that they will be able to create a better world than we have been able to.

Ultimately, the endpoint of human history is up to us. We can choose to create a better future, or we can choose to destroy ourselves. The choice is ours.

ChatGPT

As an AI language model, I don't have the ability to predict or determine the endpoint of human history. The future trajectory of humanity is uncertain and shaped by numerous complex factors, including social, political, technological, and environmental changes. Speculating about the ultimate endpoint of human history is a topic of philosophical and speculative discussion.

It's worth noting that throughout history, various cultures and individuals have proposed different theories and beliefs about the purpose or eventual destination of humanity. These range from religious and spiritual perspectives that suggest a divine plan or final judgment, to secular viewpoints that focus on scientific progress, societal evolution, or the possibility of human colonization of other planets.

Ultimately, the future of human history will be influenced by the collective actions, decisions, and advancements made by individuals and societies over time. It is a subject that remains open to interpretation and is continually shaped by our choices and circumstances.

* * * 

These two replies bring to mind a story I heard in the mid-80s about an old wise man and some sneaky teens. The old man had become famous for his wisdom to such an extent that people came from all around to hear him speak. Well, one of these wily teens had caught a bird and clasped it in his hands so that the old man could not see it. The youth asked, "I have a bird in my hands. Is he alive or is he dead?" 

Naturally, if the wise man said the bird was alive he would crush it and make the oracle appear to be a fool. If the old man, knowing this plan, said it was dead, then the youth would let it fly away unharmed.

The old wise man replied, "The future is in your hands."