AI-Enabled Global Government | An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
AI-Enabled Global Government | An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
Vicar Sayeedi
March 27, 2021
The notion of global government, a supreme and overarching authority that all the nations of the world must recognize and obey, often draws a visceral response from ordinary citizens and public intellectuals, alike. After all, sovereignty and the right to self-determination are ideas that are precious in the hearts and minds of tens or even hundreds of millions and have largely been won at the expense of blood and treasure. For many, national sovereignty is political dynamite and is not to be bargained away at any cost. But has some measure of global governance become necessary?
Although deeply emotive, the need for global governance in the 21st century is difficult to deny. We must accept that it will be virtually impossible to contend with the growing list of challenges before us without an increase in multilateralism, a trend that is unmistakably leading us in the direction of global governance. In fact, today’s European Union is an excellent example of what global governance might look like; although at times contentious and brimming with vitriol, there is no doubt that the Continent has benefited from decades of alliances and multilateral institutions, relationships that have gradually transferred some authority and power away from the individual sovereign states and to the Union.
Since the end of World War II, the number of security alliances and multilateral institutions that have formed in the Developed World – agreements that cede some or even significant portions of a nation’s historically sovereign rights – continues to grow while millions of citizens quietly benefit. Many countries in Europe, for example, have surrendered their right to a sovereign currency in favor of the Euro while also grudgingly committing a portion of their annual government budget to Brussels for their collective defense. They are also treaty bound to participate militarily in conflict zones if called upon for this collective defense. As a result they have experienced historically unprecedented peace and security and economic stability, albeit with a loss of some sovereignty.
There are many alliances and multilateral institutions in place around the world for us to consider as potential reference models of global government, with some institutions being better than others or certain aspects of some agreements so desirable that we might extract them as part of a global model. Consider, for example, the European Union, the African Union, the Association of South East Asian Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Arab League, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the Five Eyes security alliance, the most recent Quad Alliance conceived as a buffer against the rising power of China, the United Nations [the successor to the League of Nations], The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Countless statesmen have argued in favor of these alliances and multilateral institutions claiming that they have served an enormously valuable role for citizens everywhere while also preserving peace and security. Even with their undeniable institutional lapses and shortcomings, the consensus opinion is that the benefits have been overwhelming. But there are still those who vociferously disagree and are hard at work in their effort to break free of these global alliances and multilateral institutions. The Brexit process in the United Kingdom is the most recent example.
The growing list of deeply worrying problems collectively faced by humankind include the need to regulate the powerful 4th Industrial Revolution technologies of Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computing, Data Science, Gene Editing, Germ Warfare and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems along with the rising existential threats posed by Climate Change, Ecological Collapse [due to unsustainable living] and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In the 20th century, alliances and multilateral institutions across the Developed World worked reasonably well to contain nuclear threats, but as our list of threats grows and engulfs the Developing World, as well, it will probably be impossible to overcome these challenges without the representation of all countries and an increasing degree of acquiescence to global authority.
If we are to refuse such authority then we are likely to experience unprecedented social disruption as refugees pour out from the world’s equatorial regions in the direction of the northern ones in a desperate flight from rising temperatures while others flee low lying regions now engulfed and thus uninhabitable due to rising sea levels. Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Robotics will also displace hundreds of millions of jobs and will lead to societal breakdown and uncontrolled migration. We have no choice but to urgently confront these issues and an organization like the United Nations which, by design, lacks any authority cannot lead the way. It must be an institution along the lines of the European Union.
The transition to global governance will also come about much like it has in Europe. It will not be dramatic or instantaneous, like the flip of a light switch; rather it will be more gradual. But the need for such carefully choreographed governance is acute and is likely to become more so as the current decade unfolds. Those who reject this transition will continue to do so, politically and vocally, even as their leaders sign accords that in effect cede authority to address these critical problems. Nevertheless, drip by drip the direction and need is unmistakable. There may be no other way.
Vicar Sayeedi is a Computer Scientist and Engineer, a Lecturer and a Consultant. Vicar is also the author of several books. His most recent book is about Artificial Intelligence and is titled, The Génome Affair.
Vicar is most interested in the big questions facing humankind. He is particularly focused on studying at the confluence of the five great disciplines of Human History, Political Science and Thought, International Affairs, Science and Technology. This intersection offers a deep understanding and pedagogically important lessons of how advances in human endeavor have influenced and impacted civilization.
Vicar has been writing books, essays and poetry for many years. For the past 30 years, Vicar has worked in the Technology and Pharmaceutical industries. He is currently a Consultant in the Life Sciences Industry and lives in suburban Chicago with his wife and their three grown children [if they decide to visit during the holidays!]
You can find Vicar’s recent book on AI, The Génome Affair on Amazon at this link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YQ7M9Q7
The most recent episodes of Vicar’s ai & u! Podcast are on YouTube at the following links:
Episode 1 - https://youtu.be/yNYr28jtY_k
What is Artificial Intelligence? What is Human Intelligence?
Episode 2 - https://youtu.be/kAEgDNh1Nwc
How Did We Get Here? Machine Learning, Neural Networks & the AI Lexicon, Exciting AI Agents
Episode 3 - https://youtu.be/3PYCyv1pCgM
Deep Mind - How Powerful is Narrow AI? State Surveillance and Surveillance Capitalism
Episode 4 - https://youtu.be/WvobCMIM_H4
Impact on Societies That Possess Artificial Intelligence Versus Those that Do Not!
Episode 5 - https://youtu.be/4JVpvm4g79g
Surveillance Capitalism, Surveillance State, 4th Industrial Revolution, Bifurcation of Sapiens
Episode 6 - https://youtu.be/e1q2GgcWQok
AI, Blockchain & Quantum Computing - Implications for Global and National Governance
Episode 7 - https://youtu.be/4bDSUvrOdd4
Popular Perceptions of Intelligence, the Seat of Human Intelligence and Implications for AI
Episode 8 - https://youtu.be/3GjHqQZL7Pk
AI - Why Should I care? Plus Exciting Updates from Elon Musk and Neuralink!
Episode 9 - https://youtu.be/enpecqDecC8
AI - Excellence, Innovation & Genius
Episode 10 - https://youtu.be/UsriESlTjdA
Implications for AI as China and the West Decouple
Episode 11 - https://youtu.be/0CpaMb-yw3g
Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Law & Society
Episode 12 - https://youtu.be/PLzodrLWMq0
AI & Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
Episode 13 - https://youtu.be/Lm_nrNyJRbA
AI & the Future of Work in Industry 4.0 – the 4th Industrial Revolution
Episode 14 - https://youtu.be/_3E1Mhr_Dt8
Artificial Intelligence and its Implications for Authoritarianism and Democracy
Episode 15 - https://youtu.be/IpMUqHOEd7w
Artificial Intelligence, Consciousness & the Future of Homo Sapiens
Episode 16 - https://youtu.be/mIf7_VMzGKo
AI and its Implications for America's Political Environment
Episode 17 - https://youtu.be/gsMRPnovZGI
Special Episode: Reading From The Génome Affair
Episode 18 - https://youtu.be/UxNxtWDCREM
Artificial Intelligence - Digital Tyranny, Datocracy and the Imitation Game
Episode 19 - https://youtu.be/Db8U0QQWWuY
Does Artificial Intelligence Really Replicate Human Intelligence?
Episode 20 - https://youtu.be/Np18AEq-6DM
AI & Rising Geopolitical Tensions Between China & The West
Episode 21 - https://youtu.be/fOMSvNiixA0
AI & In-vitro Fertilization [IVF]
Episode 22 - https://youtu.be/EQPpRhIV6Kw
AI & Human Intelligence: A Complex Relationship
Episode 23 - https://youtu.be/EAbQ7stY7JQ
AI Upends the World of Structural Biology
Episode 24 - https://youtu.be/Bsb1F8uoBpA
AI & COVID-19: An Extraordinary Contribution
Episode 25 - https://youtu.be/PqL5PCRc8tA
AI, Connectomics & Transhumanism: the Future of Humankind
Episode 26 - https://youtu.be/HI8Zjl8VM8U
Dramatic Upheaval Inside Google's Ethical AI Team
Episode 27 - https://youtu.be/TqWwJYc2GxQ
AI & Cyber Espionage | How Will the Sunburst Attack Affect Our Security?
Episode 28 - https://youtu.be/89BcThqgcfQ
AI & the Rapidly Escalating Threat from Deep Fake Videos
Episode 29 - https://youtu.be/zvOHRMmJNB4
AI, Facial Recognition Technology & The Digital Surveillance State
Episode 30 - https://youtu.be/br4ygfEWdk0
AI & Social Media | The Most Destructive AI We've Ever Seen?
Episode 31 - https://youtu.be/sOy12ii8zwM
The Democratization of AI & The 2021 Maiflower Expedition | Plymouth, England to Plymouth, MA
Episode 32 - https://youtu.be/bixdLL74reE
Sino-American Cold War | A Blessing in Disguise for America?
Episode 33 - https://youtu.be/tTRm312DgMc
AI & the Tyranny of Meritocracy
Episode 34 - https://youtu.be/FpPzC5VP6GM
In the Midst of Chaos and Pandemic | A Big AI Announcement From the Trump Administration
Episode 35 - https://youtu.be/bK3xCBwrG8w
Artificial Super Intelligence – Can We Control It?
Episode 36 - https://youtu.be/Rc60DQ0L86Q
A New America | Hope with a Big Dose of Caution
Episode 37 - https://youtu.be/UBenYYHbYqM
Will AI [Science & Tech] Benefit From a New Cold War with China?
Episode 38 - https://youtu.be/JewJnPywnOU
Will AI Eventually Replace All Other Forms of Government?
Episode 39 - https://youtu.be/ibuJ8vozyqg
Will AI Perpetuate Bias in Employment, Health Systems, Law and Society?
Episode 40 - https://youtu.be/IJYbPfGC-08
AI | Will it be the Bain of Cyber Criminals?
Episode 41 - https://youtu.be/ozrO5_XTYKQ
AI | What Will it Mean for the Future of Work?
Episode 42 - https://youtu.be/kDKapDK-Vb0
AI | A Harbinger for the End of Democracy?
Episode 43 - https://youtu.be/7XeNyE8CA9I
AI & the Life Sciences | Developments in Connectomics & Radiology
Episode 44 - https://youtu.be/mWaPW_UolVo
AI & Geopolitics | Critical Strategic Planning in the Age of China
Episode 45 - https://youtu.be/qOSOc3vJRBk
AI & Humankind | What Might the Future Hold?
Episode 46 - https://youtu.be/atMSV1WAFkg
AI Enabled Surveillance | An Important Tool to Contain Dangerous Personality Traits?
Episode 47 - https://youtu.be/kz7-EDmlGXc
Will AI Favor Authoritarianism or Democracy?
Episode 48 - https://youtu.be/uTvKWQgdOaI
AI | A Key Enabler of Universal Basic Income?
Episode 49 - https://youtu.be/sy48Xqo-3qM
AI & The Future of Government, Industry, Markets &Trade
Episode 50 - https://youtu.be/JU1oGzb5TS0
AI & Surveillance | America’s New Strategy in the Middle East
Episode 51 - https://youtu.be/nOCQjUxLWJY
AI-Enabled Global Government | An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
Vicar Sayeedi
March 27, 2021
The notion of global government, a supreme and overarching authority that all the nations of the world must recognize and obey, often draws a visceral response from ordinary citizens and public intellectuals, alike. After all, sovereignty and the right to self-determination are ideas that are precious in the hearts and minds of tens or even hundreds of millions and have largely been won at the expense of blood and treasure. For many, national sovereignty is political dynamite and is not to be bargained away at any cost. But has some measure of global governance become necessary?
Although deeply emotive, the need for global governance in the 21st century is difficult to deny. We must accept that it will be virtually impossible to contend with the growing list of challenges before us without an increase in multilateralism, a trend that is unmistakably leading us in the direction of global governance. In fact, today’s European Union is an excellent example of what global governance might look like; although at times contentious and brimming with vitriol, there is no doubt that the Continent has benefited from decades of alliances and multilateral institutions, relationships that have gradually transferred some authority and power away from the individual sovereign states and to the Union.
Since the end of World War II, the number of security alliances and multilateral institutions that have formed in the Developed World – agreements that cede some or even significant portions of a nation’s historically sovereign rights – continues to grow while millions of citizens quietly benefit. Many countries in Europe, for example, have surrendered their right to a sovereign currency in favor of the Euro while also grudgingly committing a portion of their annual government budget to Brussels for their collective defense. They are also treaty bound to participate militarily in conflict zones if called upon for this collective defense. As a result they have experienced historically unprecedented peace and security and economic stability, albeit with a loss of some sovereignty.
There are many alliances and multilateral institutions in place around the world for us to consider as potential reference models of global government, with some institutions being better than others or certain aspects of some agreements so desirable that we might extract them as part of a global model. Consider, for example, the European Union, the African Union, the Association of South East Asian Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Arab League, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the Five Eyes security alliance, the most recent Quad Alliance conceived as a buffer against the rising power of China, the United Nations [the successor to the League of Nations], The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Countless statesmen have argued in favor of these alliances and multilateral institutions claiming that they have served an enormously valuable role for citizens everywhere while also preserving peace and security. Even with their undeniable institutional lapses and shortcomings, the consensus opinion is that the benefits have been overwhelming. But there are still those who vociferously disagree and are hard at work in their effort to break free of these global alliances and multilateral institutions. The Brexit process in the United Kingdom is the most recent example.
The growing list of deeply worrying problems collectively faced by humankind include the need to regulate the powerful 4th Industrial Revolution technologies of Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computing, Data Science, Gene Editing, Germ Warfare and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems along with the rising existential threats posed by Climate Change, Ecological Collapse [due to unsustainable living] and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In the 20th century, alliances and multilateral institutions across the Developed World worked reasonably well to contain nuclear threats, but as our list of threats grows and engulfs the Developing World, as well, it will probably be impossible to overcome these challenges without the representation of all countries and an increasing degree of acquiescence to global authority.
If we are to refuse such authority then we are likely to experience unprecedented social disruption as refugees pour out from the world’s equatorial regions in the direction of the northern ones in a desperate flight from rising temperatures while others flee low lying regions now engulfed and thus uninhabitable due to rising sea levels. Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Robotics will also displace hundreds of millions of jobs and will lead to societal breakdown and uncontrolled migration. We have no choice but to urgently confront these issues and an organization like the United Nations which, by design, lacks any authority cannot lead the way. It must be an institution along the lines of the European Union.
The transition to global governance will also come about much like it has in Europe. It will not be dramatic or instantaneous, like the flip of a light switch; rather it will be more gradual. But the need for such carefully choreographed governance is acute and is likely to become more so as the current decade unfolds. Those who reject this transition will continue to do so, politically and vocally, even as their leaders sign accords that in effect cede authority to address these critical problems. Nevertheless, drip by drip the direction and need is unmistakable. There may be no other way.
Vicar Sayeedi is a Computer Scientist and Engineer, a Lecturer and a Consultant. Vicar is also the author of several books. His most recent book is about Artificial Intelligence and is titled, The Génome Affair.
Vicar is most interested in the big questions facing humankind. He is particularly focused on studying at the confluence of the five great disciplines of Human History, Political Science and Thought, International Affairs, Science and Technology. This intersection offers a deep understanding and pedagogically important lessons of how advances in human endeavor have influenced and impacted civilization.
Vicar has been writing books, essays and poetry for many years. For the past 30 years, Vicar has worked in the Technology and Pharmaceutical industries. He is currently a Consultant in the Life Sciences Industry and lives in suburban Chicago with his wife and their three grown children [if they decide to visit during the holidays!]
You can find Vicar’s recent book on AI, The Génome Affair on Amazon at this link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YQ7M9Q7
The most recent episodes of Vicar’s ai & u! Podcast are on YouTube at the following links:
Episode 1 - https://youtu.be/yNYr28jtY_k
What is Artificial Intelligence? What is Human Intelligence?
Episode 2 - https://youtu.be/kAEgDNh1Nwc
How Did We Get Here? Machine Learning, Neural Networks & the AI Lexicon, Exciting AI Agents
Episode 3 - https://youtu.be/3PYCyv1pCgM
Deep Mind - How Powerful is Narrow AI? State Surveillance and Surveillance Capitalism
Episode 4 - https://youtu.be/WvobCMIM_H4
Impact on Societies That Possess Artificial Intelligence Versus Those that Do Not!
Episode 5 - https://youtu.be/4JVpvm4g79g
Surveillance Capitalism, Surveillance State, 4th Industrial Revolution, Bifurcation of Sapiens
Episode 6 - https://youtu.be/e1q2GgcWQok
AI, Blockchain & Quantum Computing - Implications for Global and National Governance
Episode 7 - https://youtu.be/4bDSUvrOdd4
Popular Perceptions of Intelligence, the Seat of Human Intelligence and Implications for AI
Episode 8 - https://youtu.be/3GjHqQZL7Pk
AI - Why Should I care? Plus Exciting Updates from Elon Musk and Neuralink!
Episode 9 - https://youtu.be/enpecqDecC8
AI - Excellence, Innovation & Genius
Episode 10 - https://youtu.be/UsriESlTjdA
Implications for AI as China and the West Decouple
Episode 11 - https://youtu.be/0CpaMb-yw3g
Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Law & Society
Episode 12 - https://youtu.be/PLzodrLWMq0
AI & Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
Episode 13 - https://youtu.be/Lm_nrNyJRbA
AI & the Future of Work in Industry 4.0 – the 4th Industrial Revolution
Episode 14 - https://youtu.be/_3E1Mhr_Dt8
Artificial Intelligence and its Implications for Authoritarianism and Democracy
Episode 15 - https://youtu.be/IpMUqHOEd7w
Artificial Intelligence, Consciousness & the Future of Homo Sapiens
Episode 16 - https://youtu.be/mIf7_VMzGKo
AI and its Implications for America's Political Environment
Episode 17 - https://youtu.be/gsMRPnovZGI
Special Episode: Reading From The Génome Affair
Episode 18 - https://youtu.be/UxNxtWDCREM
Artificial Intelligence - Digital Tyranny, Datocracy and the Imitation Game
Episode 19 - https://youtu.be/Db8U0QQWWuY
Does Artificial Intelligence Really Replicate Human Intelligence?
Episode 20 - https://youtu.be/Np18AEq-6DM
AI & Rising Geopolitical Tensions Between China & The West
Episode 21 - https://youtu.be/fOMSvNiixA0
AI & In-vitro Fertilization [IVF]
Episode 22 - https://youtu.be/EQPpRhIV6Kw
AI & Human Intelligence: A Complex Relationship
Episode 23 - https://youtu.be/EAbQ7stY7JQ
AI Upends the World of Structural Biology
Episode 24 - https://youtu.be/Bsb1F8uoBpA
AI & COVID-19: An Extraordinary Contribution
Episode 25 - https://youtu.be/PqL5PCRc8tA
AI, Connectomics & Transhumanism: the Future of Humankind
Episode 26 - https://youtu.be/HI8Zjl8VM8U
Dramatic Upheaval Inside Google's Ethical AI Team
Episode 27 - https://youtu.be/TqWwJYc2GxQ
AI & Cyber Espionage | How Will the Sunburst Attack Affect Our Security?
Episode 28 - https://youtu.be/89BcThqgcfQ
AI & the Rapidly Escalating Threat from Deep Fake Videos
Episode 29 - https://youtu.be/zvOHRMmJNB4
AI, Facial Recognition Technology & The Digital Surveillance State
Episode 30 - https://youtu.be/br4ygfEWdk0
AI & Social Media | The Most Destructive AI We've Ever Seen?
Episode 31 - https://youtu.be/sOy12ii8zwM
The Democratization of AI & The 2021 Maiflower Expedition | Plymouth, England to Plymouth, MA
Episode 32 - https://youtu.be/bixdLL74reE
Sino-American Cold War | A Blessing in Disguise for America?
Episode 33 - https://youtu.be/tTRm312DgMc
AI & the Tyranny of Meritocracy
Episode 34 - https://youtu.be/FpPzC5VP6GM
In the Midst of Chaos and Pandemic | A Big AI Announcement From the Trump Administration
Episode 35 - https://youtu.be/bK3xCBwrG8w
Artificial Super Intelligence – Can We Control It?
Episode 36 - https://youtu.be/Rc60DQ0L86Q
A New America | Hope with a Big Dose of Caution
Episode 37 - https://youtu.be/UBenYYHbYqM
Will AI [Science & Tech] Benefit From a New Cold War with China?
Episode 38 - https://youtu.be/JewJnPywnOU
Will AI Eventually Replace All Other Forms of Government?
Episode 39 - https://youtu.be/ibuJ8vozyqg
Will AI Perpetuate Bias in Employment, Health Systems, Law and Society?
Episode 40 - https://youtu.be/IJYbPfGC-08
AI | Will it be the Bain of Cyber Criminals?
Episode 41 - https://youtu.be/ozrO5_XTYKQ
AI | What Will it Mean for the Future of Work?
Episode 42 - https://youtu.be/kDKapDK-Vb0
AI | A Harbinger for the End of Democracy?
Episode 43 - https://youtu.be/7XeNyE8CA9I
AI & the Life Sciences | Developments in Connectomics & Radiology
Episode 44 - https://youtu.be/mWaPW_UolVo
AI & Geopolitics | Critical Strategic Planning in the Age of China
Episode 45 - https://youtu.be/qOSOc3vJRBk
AI & Humankind | What Might the Future Hold?
Episode 46 - https://youtu.be/atMSV1WAFkg
AI Enabled Surveillance | An Important Tool to Contain Dangerous Personality Traits?
Episode 47 - https://youtu.be/kz7-EDmlGXc
Will AI Favor Authoritarianism or Democracy?
Episode 48 - https://youtu.be/uTvKWQgdOaI
AI | A Key Enabler of Universal Basic Income?
Episode 49 - https://youtu.be/sy48Xqo-3qM
AI & The Future of Government, Industry, Markets &Trade
Episode 50 - https://youtu.be/JU1oGzb5TS0
AI & Surveillance | America’s New Strategy in the Middle East
Episode 51 - https://youtu.be/nOCQjUxLWJY
AI-Enabled Global Government | An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
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