What meaning can we find in the rise of artificial intelligence? And what is the meaning of our actions as leaders in a world of AI? This is the theme of our Regards Croisés AI & Spirituality, with Etienne de Rocquigny, engineer, entrepreneur, and author of “Le sens de l’IA – À l’école de Pascal l’entrepreneur” (The Meaning of AI – At the School of Pascal the Entrepreneur) (Editions Boleine) and Philippe Zaouati, CEO of Mirova and author of Discours sur l’état de l’union (State of the Union Address) (Editions Métier des mots) and the short story Opération Pilate (Operation Pilate).
Both question, in their own way, the promises of AI, its limits and its excesses, as well as the place it leaves for spirituality and human freedom. A dialogue at the crossroads of technology, ethics, and mysticism. An exploration of possible futures, between digital transcendence and planetary limits.
“In AI, spirituality is the elephant in the room. The quest for meaning is everywhere and permeates all discourse on AI, dreams, and anxieties,” according to Etienne de Rocquigny.
?“Will AI become a new god? Will humans use this new power to elevate themselves? Are we moving towards transhumanism?” asks Philippe Zaouati.
?“The real question is: what is my mission and how can I use the tools at my disposal (including AI) in the right way to achieve my mission?”
“The technocratic system (see Jacques Ellul) carries an addictive dynamic of enslavement in its endless quest. Tech for tech’s sake leads nowhere,” according to Etienne de Rocquigny.
? “When you have a technological object like AI, it’s going to be extremely difficult to slow it down,” according to Philippe Zaouati.
?“The beginning of the spiritual journey is a step back, an exercise in detachment to open oneself up to a greater reality, a meaning. The great risk is not allowing oneself, as a leader, to take a step back from the mimetic frenzy,” explains Etienne de Rocquigny.
❓Will we be able to intelligently combine two major developments—technological advances and the climate and global resource crisis—in a context of intense tension?
❓How can the leaders of yesterday and tomorrow balance the desire to create, to undertake, to surpass themselves, without damaging the harmony of our societies, by contributing to the common good, preserving freedom of conscience, opinion and expression, and preserving the quality of “true authentic relationships”?
A look back at the debate moderated by Linda Labidi, Editor-in-Chief of Be a Boss Mag, which took place in the Mirova amphitheater: