Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Living with artificial intelligence is like living in an echo chamber”

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, participated in an online interview titled “Consciousness, Spirit, and Ethical Boundaries in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” organized in collaboration with Bartın University Youth Morale and Motivation Club and Cyber Security and Smart Systems Club. Stating that artificial intelligence constitutes a major transformation for humanity, Tarhan expressed that this technology, despite being a very intelligent digital entity, cannot develop consciousness, conscience, and moral responsibility. Defining artificial intelligence as an “echo chamber,” Tarhan emphasized that the information provided by users is merely echoed by artificial intelligence through its data infrastructure, and therefore, artificial intelligence is not a conscious subject but a digital system. Tarhan stated that young people, in particular, should be aware of risks such as screen addiction, digital manipulation, and the blurring of reality perception.  

The program was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Eyüp Burak Ceyhan from Bartın University. 

Prof. Ahmet Akkaya: “What is important are ethical and moral values”

Rector of Bartın University, Prof. Ahmet Akkaya, delivered the opening speech of the program. Akkaya stated; “Consciousness, spirit, and ethical boundaries in the age of artificial intelligence... Indeed, when we look from Plato to Aristotle, the question of whether there are significant differences between the ethical approaches in the texts we read and today's moral criteria constantly comes to my mind. Humanity is constantly in a state of change… However, what is truly important are ethical and moral values. At this point, I would like to thank you for the information you will provide to our students and people.”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “An intelligent digital entity but not smart”

Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that artificial intelligence creates change and transformation; “We have entered the age of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is currently rapidly realizing the change that the printing press and electricity brought to humanity. We are at the beginning of such a change and transformation. In such a situation, if artificial intelligence is a tool, will it remain a tool? Can it be a competitor to humans? This is an important question. Because its rivalry is related to the meaning that humans attribute to it. Artificial intelligence itself cannot produce meaning, nor can it. It multiplies, organizes, accelerates, connects, and solves existing meanings. Therefore, it is a very intelligent digital entity. In fact, it is a digital entity more intelligent than humans but not smart. Regarding its replacement of humans, there are some neurobiological features in humans. The mathematical modeling of these features is currently not possible. Its realization also does not seem possible,” he began his words.

“A tool that speeds up and simplifies life”

Tarhan, referring to artificial intelligence as an unconscious entity; “We benefit from artificial intelligence in areas where we can perform calculations. Accessing information is an important area here. However, what artificial intelligence will provide us with that is more important is what it does beyond accessing information. Humans produce meaning here. But the subject seeking meaning is still human. Currently, if there were no humans, artificial intelligence would also cease to exist. Because artificial intelligence does not possess life, nor does it possess consciousness; it is an unconscious entity. Therefore, the potential for artificial intelligence to replace humans does not seem possible for now. It is not possible for it to replace a consciousness or a conscience. However, it is also a fact that it is a faster and more powerful digital entity than humans. Elon Musk says, ‘Intelligence has become very cheap, character has become very expensive.’ That is, in the age of artificial intelligence, intelligence became cheap because accessing information became easier. Technology adds speed to our lives, but human values guide our lives. Character also guides humans. When a person loses their character, they become a victim of artificial intelligence. People with strong character and a roadmap in hand use artificial intelligence purposefully. Therefore, I see artificial intelligence not as a conscious entity that produces meaning, but as a tool that speeds up and simplifies life.”

“Everyone needs to become wise to adapt to the age of artificial intelligence”

Tarhan, emphasizing that artificial intelligence poses a great threat to young people with screen addiction; “Currently, everyone needs to become wise to adapt to the age of artificial intelligence. Wisdom will now have to become globalized. If you do not become wise, if you cannot learn to be a good person and live with character, you will fall into the trap of artificial intelligence. You will either become addicted, or be drawn into gambling addiction, or commit suicide, or fall into depression. In addition, you will face the risk of becoming a victim of gangs or other organizations. Therefore, artificial intelligence is a tremendous opportunity for us. However, it also carries serious risks and disadvantages for incompetent individuals. I am thinking most about young people here. Especially young people left unattended in front of screens run the risk of becoming the biggest victims of this process.” he stated.

“It blurred the boundaries of reality…”

Tarhan, referring to the concept of artificial reality; “Previously, we addressed reality under three headings: the physical reality we experience, imaginary reality, and dream reality. Now, artificial reality has also been added to these. Because artificial intelligence disrupted the boundaries between events. It blurred the boundaries of personality, emotions, and identity. Because it blurred the boundaries of reality, individuals who cannot draw these boundaries can easily be swayed by artificial intelligence. Therefore, artificial intelligence, like all technology, should be used for a specific purpose. Technology itself is inherently neutral. If you use it for good, it leads to good; if you use it for bad, it leads to bad. However, artificial intelligence further increased the risks here. Therefore, we will be the captain of artificial intelligence, and artificial intelligence will be our assistant. If this is the case, we do not need to fear artificial intelligence,” he said.

“Algorithms need to be transparent”

Tarhan, emphasizing the importance of individuals renewing themselves; “If we can renew ourselves, we will seriously grasp the truths of this age. Therefore, algorithms need to be transparent. However, algorithms are not transparent at present. Europe is trying to make them transparent but is struggling. They are not transparent in the US, nor are they here. People can be seriously manipulated by tampering with algorithms. It is necessary to know this. Because when these algorithms fall into the hands of malicious people, they can use cultural imperialism very effectively, and indeed, they are already doing so. Old imperialism will no longer be waged through wars. From now on, we will encounter psychological warfare and cultural, voluntary imperialism. People will turn to this willingly. This is an important question mark before us and an area requiring serious awareness,” he said.

“Humans are not just data”

Tarhan, stating that artificial intelligence does not perform moral questioning; “In artificial intelligence, we can make it imitate some things with codes. However, a computer cannot be morally responsible. Because conscience means moral responsibility. Artificial intelligence does whatever you load onto it. It cannot question itself, ‘Is this moral or not?’ If you have loaded information and codes related to this, it makes its decisions according to those codes. It weighs the options and acts accordingly but cannot feel moral responsibility. An internal questioning like ‘I am harming this person. What I did is bad. My conscience is bothered.’ is not expected from artificial intelligence. Therefore, not having consciousness is an important difference. Because what we call identity, what we call human, is not just data. Humans are not just data. Our body can be seen as data, but humans have consciousness, continuity, and integrity of experience.” he stated.

“Living with artificial intelligence is like living in an echo chamber”

Tarhan, underlining that artificial intelligence is not a conscious subject but a system that echoes; “Artificial intelligence is an echo chamber. In an echo chamber, you say something, and it echoes it with its own data. Artificial intelligence is also like this; when you say something to it, it echoes it back to you with its own data infrastructure. Therefore, living with artificial intelligence is like living in an echo chamber. Artificial intelligence developers should also write this in a corner of it. They need to write, ‘You are currently in an echo chamber. You are interacting with an intelligent digital entity, but there is no conscious being in front of you.’ When you consider this, you can ask artificial intelligence anything, say anything to it. Because it is not a conscious subject but a digital system that echoes.” he said.

“Conscience is needed for moral norms”

Tarhan, referring to the characteristics artificial intelligence cannot possess; “There are things that artificial intelligence can never do. Chief among these are human emotions. Because there are four fundamental norms that protect humans, and artificial intelligence cannot achieve one of them. Firstly, there are legal norms; artificial intelligence can imitate these. Secondly, there are social norms; traditions and customs. Artificial intelligence has also begun to influence and change these. Thirdly, there are family norms: parent-child relationships and family behaviors. And fourthly, there are moral norms. This is the area that artificial intelligence cannot possess. Because artificial intelligence has no moral norm. Conscience is needed for moral norms. Conscience means feeling moral responsibility. We cannot expect artificial intelligence to develop emotions like ‘be compassionate, be fair, be empathetic.’ Therefore, it cannot produce new meanings. It cannot ask questions like ‘Who am I, where did I come from, where am I going, why do I exist?’ These are questions that a conscious being would ask. Of course, you can make it ask these questions, but it cannot derive the meaning of life from them. Whatever you give it, it will present to you. Because consciousness means awareness, that is, being aware of one's own existence. We cannot say that artificial intelligence is aware of its own existence. Such a claim is not possible at present. Therefore, it is not possible for it to possess consciousness,” he concluded his words.