Tsvi Benson-Tilsen, a mathematician, researched for seven years on how to avoid a sophisticated type of artificial intelligence from causing harm to humanity, but ultimately found it impossible to stop it, at least in the near future.
He is now using his significant intellectual abilities to advocate for advanced technology that can enhance human intelligence in order to save humanity.
Benson-Tilsen, co-founder of the Berkeley Genomics Project, a non-profit organization that backs the emerging field, expressed optimism about its potential.
Interest in producing smarter babies is on the rise in Silicon Valley, not just a concept from science fiction.
Parents are spending as much as $50,000 for new genetic testing services that offer to assess the intelligence of embryos.
Futuristic technology leaders, such as Elon Musk, are motivating intellectually gifted individuals to have more children by pairing technology executives with brilliant partners.
Jennifer Donnelly, a high-end matchmaker who charges up to $500,000 for her services, mentioned that currently, she is working with three technology CEOs who all favor Ivy League graduates.
The interest in what some refer to as “genetic optimization” reflects core Silicon Valley values regarding achievement and success.
Sasha Gusev, a statistical geneticist at Harvard Medical School, believes that some individuals feel they are smart and skilled due to their genetics and believe they can pass on these qualities to their children.
In Silicon Valley, intelligence quotient is highly valued.
The increasing emphasis on IQ in Silicon Valley is sparking discussions, with bioethicists raising concerns about the new genetic screening services.
Hank Greely, director of Stanford University’s Law and Biosciences Center, expressed concerns about the fairness of the situation where the rich could potentially create a genetic elite with power while others become proletarians, likening it to a science fiction plot.
In Silicon Valley, parents do not face moral dilemmas about using technology to assess their children’s intelligence before they are born, as the top preschools there mandate IQ tests and have high admission standards.
A group of individuals, often wealthy or highly rational, are interested in using IQ scores as a criteria for selecting embryos, according to Stephen Hsu, co-founder of Genomic Prediction.
Nucleus Genomics and Herasight, two Silicon Valley startups, have started providing public IQ predictions based on genetic testing. This service assists individuals in choosing embryos for in vitro fertilization, with prices ranging from approximately $6,000 at Nucleus to as much as $50,000 at Herasight due to high demand in the Bay Area.
“In Silicon Valley, there is a strong preference for high IQ levels,” noted Kian Sadeghi, founder of Nucleus Genomics, highlighting a contrast in values compared to parents elsewhere who may prioritize different aspirations, such as wanting their child to excel in sports like LeBron James.
Simone and Malcolm Collins, leaders of the growing pro-natal movement, utilized these tests to assess some of their embryos. The couple, who have four children through in vitro fertilization, advocate for increased childbirth.
Simone Collins selected the embryo for her pregnancy based on its low cancer risk and high probability of having exceptional intelligence, which she found to be very exciting.
They intend to name him Tex Demeisen. She mentioned that her middle name is inspired by the science fiction book Surface Detail by Iain M. Banks, in tribute to the avatar of a warship named Falling Outside the Normal Moral Constraints.
Collins mentioned that a superior intellect is linked to various positive outcomes, such as increased earnings, but she expressed interest in genetic testing to identify ambition.
“I prioritize the intention to take action over the ability to do so,” she stated. “We would be more intrigued if we had polygenic scores for determination, ambition, and inquisitiveness.”
The decision made by the child
Few couples would undergo the challenging and costly in vitro fertilization procedure unless it was a necessity. However, a couple from the Bay Area, both working as software engineers, opted for it willingly.
The couple was concerned about genetic illnesses like Alzheimer’s and cancer in their families. They were also interested in IQ forecasts as they wished for their children to address global challenges and excel in intellectual pursuits.
They identified as regular computer enthusiasts who enjoy science fiction, logical challenges, and amicable conversations.
Upon receiving the Herasight results, they collaborated on a Google spreadsheet to assess the significance of each feature.
After in-depth discussions and intricate calculations, they determined scores for each embryo based on the additional life-long risk percentage for Alzheimer that offsets a 1% decrease in life-long risk for bipolar disorder and the amount of additional ADHD risk that can offset 10 extra IQ points.
The embryo with the highest overall rating and the third highest predicted IQ was chosen as their daughter.
IQ assessments
What is the precision of genetic testing in forecasting IQ levels?
The response is “relatively low,” according to Shai Carmi, an associate professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who developed the models for these forecasts.
Carmi stated that the researchers discovered a relationship between cognitive capacity and the combined impact of numerous genetic variations in the human genome.
The existing models account for approximately 5% to 10% of the variations in cognitive ability among individuals, he pointed out.
Parents who select embryos based on predicted IQ can gain an average of three to four points compared to choosing randomly. This selection method is not a guarantee of exceptional intelligence for the child.
Experts also warn about unintended outcomes that might accompany selecting a high IQ, which could include characteristics that parents may not desire for their children.
Selecting an embryo based on presumed high IQ may also mean unknowingly choosing one with an elevated likelihood of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as mentioned by Gusev, a statistical geneticist at Harvard.
Scholars suggest that there are ancient methods to enhance a child’s intelligence, like education or reproducing with a smart partner, according to fertility specialist Paula Amato of Oregon Health & Science University.
In Silicon Valley, traditional methods can be costly, as tech leaders seek experts to identify suitable collaborators.
Donnelly, a high-end matchmaker based in Dallas, frequently talks about intelligence and high IQ, aspects that are often on the minds of their clients when considering their future offspring.
“They aim to bring up children who excel,” Donnelly elaborated. “Their focus is not solely on affection but also on genetics, academic achievements, and leaving a legacy.”
The danger associated with artificial intelligence
A group of inexperienced computer scientists in Berkeley, known as rationalists, believe that creating smarter babies is necessary due to concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.
Hsu, a co-founder of Genomic Prediction, suggested that creating a safe AI could involve having more intelligent individuals develop it. Some of these individuals are involved in a eugenic initiative aimed at producing smarter humans, who in turn contribute to ensuring the safety of AI.
Benson-Tilsen, a rabbi’s son and prominent figure in this initiative, articulates his objectives thoughtfully. He expressed a desire to enable parents to make genomic decisions, such as enhancing their children’s anticipated IQ.
Parental choice is highlighted as a key distinction between the desire for intelligent offspring and the negative past of government eugenics programs like those of Nazi Germany.
Benson-Tilsen thinks that individuals with higher intellectual abilities can figure out how to ensure that AI aligns with human values or persuade others not to create it.
“I am interested in things that will produce significant impacts, especially those that will cultivate more brilliant individuals,” he stated.
Translated by InvestNews
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