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00:00 Have you ever witnessed a technology, or encountered a theory, and thought "wow, this is going
00:05 to change everything"?
00:07 For better or worse, it seems to happen more and more in the modern world, thanks to the
00:11 relentless pace of our own advancement.
00:14 And as a result, it's now more than ever that the old ways are not only being questioned,
00:19 but could well be on the brink of being replaced.
00:21 That's including some of the oldest, most entrenched, and most fundamental aspects of
00:26 life on Earth.
00:28 This is Unveiled, and today we're answering the extraordinary question; will humans become
00:33 more powerful than God?
00:35 Do you need the big questions answered?
00:37 Are you constantly curious?
00:39 Then why not subscribe to Unveiled for more clips like this one?
00:42 And ring the bell for more thought-provoking content!
00:45 There is no doubt that the concept of God has played a central role in shaping humankind
00:49 to this point.
00:50 In whatever guise, the idea of God has bred belief systems, entire cultures, and whole
00:55 societies throughout history.
00:57 From the polytheistic pantheon of ancient civilizations to the monotheistic traditions
01:01 of major world religions, humans have sought to understand and connect with a higher power.
01:07 God, however you view this unknowable figure, often serves as a moral compass, providing
01:12 guidance and purpose to individuals and communities.
01:15 Although of course, the exact role of God differs according to the diversity of our
01:20 kind.
01:21 Various religions, systems, and groups have presented their own unique perspectives.
01:25 In Hinduism, deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are central figures, each representing
01:31 different aspects of the divine.
01:33 In Christianity, there is an emphasis on the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the
01:38 Holy Spirit.
01:39 Islam professes the belief in one God, Allah.
01:42 The ancients of Greece, Egypt, Rome, and Old Norse presented many gods, although usually
01:47 with one higher figure, such as Zeus or Odin.
01:50 In contrast, Buddhism focuses far less on a supreme deity.
01:54 Although that view in itself is arguably somewhat shaped by the significance of God elsewhere.
02:00 Regardless of what you believe, or if you believe nothing at all, the notion of "playing
02:04 God" has become more and more prominent in recent times.
02:07 Whether you subscribe to an overriding, supernatural, all-seeing force or not, everyone has some
02:12 form of understanding of what's inferred by "God".
02:15 And that supreme level of power has come to be a key consideration in contemporary scientific
02:21 research.
02:22 To this day, as our scientific and technological prowess has grown, the phrase "playing God"
02:27 is variously used to critique humanity's pursuit of capabilities traditionally associated
02:32 with a divine being.
02:33 Broadly, the criticism is rooted in ethical, moral, and philosophical concerns, questioning
02:39 whether certain advancements exceed the boundaries of what humans should ethically or responsibly
02:44 pursue.
02:45 So, have we already gone too far?
02:48 Or are there still plenty of more levels through which to ascend?
02:51 If we are not more powerful than God just yet, will we soon come to be so in the future?
02:56 One area where the accusation of "playing God" is most frequently heard is in the realm
03:00 of genetic engineering.
03:02 With the ability to manipulate DNA, scientists can now edit the genetic code of organisms,
03:08 potentially altering the course of evolution… on an individual, but perhaps even species,
03:13 scale.
03:14 CRISPR-Cas9 technology, for instance, has enabled precise gene editing, and sparked
03:19 debates about the ethical implications of modifying human embryos to eliminate genetic
03:24 disorders… or to create designer babies.
03:28 Critics view such possibilities as tinkering with the building blocks of life.
03:32 They argue, is nothing sacred anymore if even the most fundamental parts of ourselves can
03:37 be rewritten, reorganized, or simply deleted at source?
03:42 Elsewhere, an advancement in artificial intelligence has increasingly led to concerns about humanity
03:47 creating intelligent entities that may surpass our own cognitive abilities.
03:52 From self-learning algorithms to sophisticated neural networks, the development of AI has
03:57 triggered debates on the ethical responsibilities of creating potentially sentient beings.
04:03 Here, the question arises, are we playing God by bestowing machines with the ability
04:08 to think, learn, and make decisions?
04:11 What right do we really have to even try to create sentience in the first place?
04:15 And if we succeeded, what difference will there then be between ourselves and the God
04:20 that so many believers claim made us, that created will have turned creator?
04:25 Similarly, cloning is yet another area of research continually tagged with the same
04:30 kinds of warnings.
04:31 Of course, the cloning of animals has already been achieved, and it's a field that's
04:35 growing and growing and gathering pace.
04:38 So much so that, for some, the notion of cloning human beings is no longer science fiction.
04:43 Naturally, this potential to replicate individuals represents a massive challenge to our understanding
04:49 of uniqueness, identity, and the sanctity of life.
04:52 Cloning, along with many of the other apparently near-future technologies on the horizon, is
04:56 also billed by some as a potential route toward immortality.
05:00 For many, this is the ultimate end goal for all science - the greatest achievement that
05:05 humans could ever make.
05:06 But, on the other hand, if and when we become immortal, will we then have become less human,
05:12 as a result?
05:13 More broadly, transhumanism explores ways to enhance human capabilities, blurring the
05:18 line between the natural and the artificial.
05:21 Implantable devices, augmented reality, and brain-computer interfaces all aim to extend
05:26 our cognitive and physical abilities, and we're seemingly on the cusp of all of these
05:31 being readily available.
05:34 Transhumanism might also be viewed as a culmination of the modern age of technology; as a coming
05:39 endgame, blending all that we've learned and are learning about genetic engineering,
05:44 AI, cloning, and the rest.
05:47 This convergence of various technologies certainly presents intriguing possibilities, but the
05:51 question still inevitably arises; could future technology elevate humans to a level where
05:57 we surpass the traditional attributes associated with God?
06:01 Will we one day become not just as powerful, but more powerful than even our most supreme
06:07 of supreme beings?
06:09 Looking ahead, the development of AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, represents
06:14 a potential huge leap in what a machine will be able to do.
06:18 AGI would possess cognitive abilities comparable to or better than those of a traditional,
06:23 organic human, across a wide range of tasks.
06:26 If left unchecked, there are thoughts and fears that AGI could itself become more powerful
06:32 than God, and quickly… and then that we will be inescapably trapped and under its
06:37 control.
06:38 If it is in any way interwoven with the fabric of humanity, however, as many hope it will
06:42 be, then the same might also be true of we humans, as well.
06:46 It'll be us that surpasses God, and perhaps even with ease.
06:50 Again, looming advances in biotechnology may soon offer possibilities for enhancing human
06:56 physical attributes.
06:58 From genetic modifications to regenerative medicine, the potential exists to augment
07:02 human strength, resilience and longevity.
07:06 While these developments could clearly hold great promise for addressing the many health
07:09 concerns of our species, they also raise the same ethical questions about tampering with
07:15 the natural course of life.
07:17 Mix improving biotech with AGI and the trajectory could soon skyrocket beyond anything that's
07:23 even comprehensible to us as we are.
07:25 Funnel all of the future's new information through brain chips and sensory improvers
07:30 of some kind, and suddenly we really could have knowledge and understanding that's
07:35 far, far beyond that which we have now.
07:38 Alongside all of this, there's our apparently constant want to physically travel and expand.
07:44 And as humans continually strive to explore and colonise outer space, in future times
07:49 when we may be powered by transhuman technologies, the idea of mastering the cosmos further echoes
07:55 the ancient myths of our gods being all-seeing, all-controlling, celestial beings.
08:01 Achieving interplanetary travel is one thing; potentially establishing colonies on a distant
08:06 world is another.
08:07 But if all that goes to plan, then humanity could one day elevate itself to a position
08:13 of unprecedented influence over the universe.
08:16 And if that sounds familiar, it's because it's what many envisage a true god to be
08:21 like.
08:22 With all of this in mind, is now a time to pause or put the pedal to the floor?
08:27 It's something of a central debate in all of scientific and technological research.
08:32 How do we ensure that there's a balance between what we can do, what we might be able
08:36 to do, and what we should do?
08:39 How do we move from the current climate of potentially "playing god" to the future
08:43 one in which we have the entire celestial toybox at our fingertips?
08:48 For many, and especially for those who don't believe in divine beings to begin with, this
08:53 is much more than a question of science versus religion.
08:56 It's a real possibility that humans will become more powerful than God, no matter how
09:02 you understand a god to be.
09:04 As for the route we take to get there, it's a profundity that only the future can know.
09:09 What do you think?
09:10 Is there anything we missed?
09:12 Let us know in the comments, check out these other clips from Unveiled, and make sure you
09:16 subscribe and ring the bell for our latest content.