In this blog post, we examine how advances in inorganic engineering might influence the future of Homo sapiens and the possibility of its extinction.
Background and Problem Statement
One event that many people remember is the moment when artificial intelligence defeated the Go champion. The entire nation’s attention was focused on a single Go board, and people gathered in small groups on the streets to discuss that day’s shocking match. This event left a legacy that went beyond a simple victory or defeat. It sparked interest in Go, a game that had previously been unpopular, and gave rise to voices anticipating an optimistic future brought about by advances in artificial intelligence. At the same time, however, fears and warnings that machines surpassing humans might one day replace or threaten us increased dramatically.
The official name of our species is Homo sapiens, meaning “wise man.” Homo sapiens flourished rapidly through the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions and has established itself as the sole remaining species of the genus Homo on Earth today. While other Homo species, such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus, existed in the past, Homo sapiens survived by outcompeting them through the Cognitive Revolution—which began about 70,000 years ago—and the development of new ways of thinking and communicating.
Similarities Between Computer Programs and “Inorganic Life Forms”
Today, we have reached a level where science and technology allow us to control natural phenomena and create new entities. Computer programs that mimic the human brain, such as AlphaGo, demonstrate that the ability to create is not exclusive to God. In particular, some computer programs exhibit characteristics similar to those of living organisms.
For example, computer viruses share several similarities with living organisms. First, they possess the ability to self-replicate. Viruses continuously replicate themselves and spread to multiple computers. Second, there is a process of competition and selection. Even in cyberspace, various programs and viruses compete with one another, and those that adapt better to the environment survive. Third, new characteristics can emerge through random changes (mutations). Thus, the phenomenon in which man-made programs undergo a series of evolution-like processes can be called “genetic programming.”
From this perspective, programs can be imagined as a kind of inorganic-based entity. Unlike living organisms, which are composed of complex carbon-based organic chemical structures, these new entities will be composed of inorganic materials such as metals, semiconductors, and electronic circuits. Since their constituent materials are different, their modes of behavior, information processing, and communication are also likely to be fundamentally different. Therefore, it is difficult to fully predict their appearance or logic using the categories of biological entities we have experienced so far.
Threats Posed by Inorganic Life Forms
The ways in which entities created through inorganic engineering could pose a threat to Homo sapiens can be broadly divided into two categories. First is replacement or elimination due to direct superiority. These entities may possess faster and more precise ways of thinking, as well as superior physical and functional capabilities; they could subdue humans by force or push them out of competition, much like in science fiction films. From the perspective of natural selection, if entities with greater adaptability than humans emerge, humanity’s dominant position would be shaken.
The second scenario involves humans themselves using inorganic engineering to overcome their limitations, eventually leading to a transformation of human identity or a leap into a new “species.” In other words, if humans replace parts of themselves with machines or computerize brain functions to merge with inorganic entities, the original Homo sapiens could gradually transform into a different form, facing de facto extinction or transformation.
Conclusion: Boundaries and Preparation
In summary, humans have advanced science and technology based on their ability to think, and as a result, have prevailed in competition with other species to reach the present day. However, there is also the paradox that the very same technological advancements could create beings superior to humans. Inorganic engineering could trigger a second cognitive revolution, and at that starting point, the fate of Homo sapiens could change—a scenario that could be interpreted as humans killing humans.
Many people may think this discussion is merely a topic for the distant future or may dismiss it without grounds. However, change is already underway, and significant turning points are emerging one by one, just as they did when humans first began using fire or when the Industrial Revolution began. The AlphaGo incident is merely a symbolic event that raised awareness about artificial intelligence, and its significance should not be taken lightly.
Ultimately, what matters is not simply welcoming or fearing technological advancement itself, but actively discussing and preparing for its direction, regulation, and ethical standards. The process of understanding the possibilities and risks that inorganic engineering may bring and building social consensus will be the key to shaping the future.
