Something machines now do just as well

There are many attempts to define intelligence and consciousness in relation to modern AI systems, but an equally interesting development may be certain unavoidable insights into what it is to be human, insights into our own psychology.

Not new insights, but AI may compel us to confront the way we use language and how we are manipulated by the language of others. As AI systems seem able to emulate what we do with language, we may come to accept that what they do is what we do. What they do under the surface may be different, but where it matters it isn’t different.

We learn language forms which are acceptable and eschew those which are not. We learn how to play language games. AI systems learn how to play language games. We may have to acknowledge that the similarity is important enough to accept it and see where it takes us. Not to do so could be a disadvantage.

If AI does lead us towards a greater awareness of language as integral to what we are, then we may see a major political change too. Language games are a fundamental aspect of political discourse. A generally heightened perception of language games could be as far-reaching as the impact of AI on employment, entertainment and the more technical aspects of modern life.

It could lead to a situation where political discourse is generally seen from the outside. A situation where the political discourse of today is viewed a range of old style language games, something machines now do just as well. What then?