Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, attended the BTÜ Talks organized by Bursa Technical University. Speaking with residents of Bursa under the title “Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and the Addiction Cycle,” Tarhan drew attention to both the opportunity and threat dimensions of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of its correct and conscious use. Tarhan touched upon the necessity of parental supervision in young people's relationships with the digital world, also underlining the importance of developing algorithms suitable for children and digital detox. Tarhan also added that capitalism sells optimism to hide its own helplessness.
The program, held in the BTÜ Turquoise Hall, was attended by Bursa Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Çağlar, along with the university's academic and administrative staff and students.
“We forbade banning artificial intelligence”
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that artificial intelligence is not a conscious entity, said: “Just as the invention of the printing press had a great impact on human history, artificial intelligence is creating a similar transformation. We can even think of it as the beginning of Industry 4.0. We talked a lot about this at the university; we forbade banning artificial intelligence. Because there are concerns and discomfort that 'students will have AI do everything.' However, artificial intelligence is not a conscious entity. Its intelligence is not even essential; what's important is its lack of consciousness. Humans know more things and can make decisions faster. Artificial intelligence, unlike humans, is not a conscious entity that can observe, generate questions, or produce new information. It cannot predict what the person in front of it will think or do. If you put artificial intelligence in a leadership position, it will start to direct you. However, if you determine your own purpose and utilize artificial intelligence to serve that purpose, then AI will serve you. Therefore, in our relationship with artificial intelligence, the purpose must be ours. If we determine the correct areas of use, artificial intelligence will tremendously facilitate our work,” he began his remarks.
“Both a threat and an opportunity…”
Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence will serve whatever purpose it is used for, saying: “Artificial intelligence currently carries both a threat dimension and an opportunity dimension as a digital platform. There are vast possibilities for it to turn into an opportunity, depending on how we use it. However, it is necessary to distinguish between conscious and unconscious use. For young people who do not know themselves and are still in a developmental period, artificial intelligence can pose a great danger. This risk further increases, especially during adolescence. Therefore, if a child is interested in artificial intelligence, it is appropriate for them to engage with it under parental supervision and safely. Because technology itself is inherently neutral. It serves in the direction of whatever purpose it is used for. Similarly, artificial intelligence can be a useful gift, but if used for malicious purposes, it can create different and negative consequences. Therefore, using artificial intelligence correctly and consciously is very important,” he stated.
California syndrome became civilization syndrome…
Tarhan underlined the spread of a pleasure-oriented philosophy of life, saying: “Since the California syndrome has globalized, it should be called a civilization syndrome. It has four basic characteristics. First is hedonism, a pleasure-oriented philosophy of life. People learn to pursue pleasure as the purpose of life, and it becomes an ego ideal. Second, a person who adopts hedonism as a principle becomes egocentric, adopting a self-centered structure. They evaluate things as good if they suit their interest, and bad if they don't. In other words, the measure of value has become self-interest and pleasure. Third is loneliness. The United Nations highlights three major dangers awaiting humanity in the future: first, income inequality; second, climate change; and third, loneliness. We may not be aware of this, but the Western world clearly sees the effects of loneliness,” he said.
Not self-actualization, but self-transcendence…
Tarhan, speaking about the theory of multiple intelligences, said: “Gardner is the founder of the theory of multiple intelligences. In the theory of multiple intelligences, 6 virtues and 24 values are defined. There is a character strengths scale. In fact, there is also an online assessment tool for this, which we use in Turkey. When a person completes this character strengths inventory, values such as justice, generosity, and self-transcendence all emerge. These values are actually connected to Maslow’s hierarchy of psychosocial needs, which we all know. In Maslow’s theory, self-actualization is known to be at the top of the hierarchy. However, Maslow and his colleagues later changed this. This change was published in 2017. At the very top, it is no longer self-actualization but self-transcendence. They put self-transcendence there. Spiritual needs, values like helping others, have been placed at the very top of the hierarchy of psychosocial needs,” he said.
“Humanity’s ability to correct negativity is being taken away”
Tarhan, drawing attention to capitalism selling optimism to hide its own helplessness, said: “They have taken spiritual wisdom, systematized it, developed it according to the era, and are telling it to us, but they are not giving references. In fact, when you look at it, it's entirely Anatolian wisdom. Let it serve humanity, no matter who it comes from; that's what's important. There's a Croatian philosopher, Zizek. He has very interesting ideas. He calls mindfulness 'capitalism's new trap.' Capitalism is now selling optimism to hide its own helplessness. The capitalist system programs mindfulness in this way, saying, 'Everyone be optimistic, don't worry about it.' This also takes away humanity’s ability to correct negativity. He says, 'It has started to be used to numb the masses by covering things up.' This is called cruel optimism,” he stated.
When a negative thought comes to mind, think of three positive things!
Tarhan, speaking about new discoveries related to the brain's operating system, said: “There's a new discovery in neuroscience. We've been following it for 5-6 months. It's about the brain's operating system. There's a salience network in the brain, which is the network of importance. And there's a default mode network in the middle of the brain, called the meaning network. This meaning network operates when our brain is in automatic mode. The default mode network is one of the first networks to become active in the brain. This network writes a scenario, scans the past, makes predictions about the future, and makes decisions for today. While doing this, the salience network is also active. Just as a person begins to think of a pink elephant when told 'Don't think of a pink elephant,' the same thing happens when you give your brain a command about any negative subject. The brain interprets it as 'This person values this topic,' and immediately brings that topic to the forefront, constantly bringing up negative elements. In this situation, the brain perceives it as a reward. It secretes dopamine, saying, 'This is very important.' The person then begins to take pleasure in fighting with that thought, and this pleasure further increases the illness. Positive psychotherapy, on the other hand, says, 'When one negative thought comes to mind, think of three positive things instead, make this your assignment. Even keep a gratitude journal, write down three good things you possess today. Write every day, and look back after a week.' When you do this, the brain starts to work in a positive-focused way. The foundation of therapy in neuroscience is very solid,” he said.
“Artificial intelligence can cause serious harm to people who lack knowledge”
Tarhan, stating that artificial intelligence must be used in the right place and for the right purpose, said: “Artificial intelligence can cause serious harm to people who lack knowledge. It certainly cannot be a therapist; a therapist will not emerge from artificial intelligence, but it can facilitate the therapist's work. For example, it can reduce a therapy process that would take 10 sessions to 5 sessions. Think of it like an X-ray. It collects information, analyzes it, and presents you with data. If you use this correctly, you will make fewer mistakes. The situation is similar in drug treatment. Currently, there are many treatment guidelines and programs. We ask artificial intelligence, ‘Based on this personality test, which options should we consider?’… It presents us with options we hadn’t thought of. This is actually a good thing. The same applies to therapy. If a person treats artificial intelligence like a therapist and accepts everything it says without questioning, psychosis can develop. Indeed, there are cases of people committing suicide by talking to artificial intelligence, and people experiencing psychosis. Artificial intelligence is a very new technology. Just as a chemical weapon, if not used properly, can destroy people instead of eliminating disease, artificial intelligence can also be harmful if used incorrectly. Using it in the right place and for the right purpose is very important,” he said.
“It is essential to develop algorithms suitable for age groups”
Tarhan, stating that digital detox should become a habit, said: “Algorithms need to be rewritten for children. It is essential to develop algorithms suitable for age groups. This situation needs to become a cultural norm, meaning it should not be random or careless. Perhaps systems will improve in 5-10 years, but a generation could be lost. That's why we absolutely must take our own precautions individually. First, we must pay attention to ourselves, then to our children and loved ones. We cannot completely isolate ourselves and our children from society, but if everyone at home has their phones, computers, and tablets constantly on, if family communication has dropped to zero, and if everyone is living only in the digital environment, then the likelihood of those children becoming victims of the digital world is very high. For this reason, doing a digital detox for one day a week or at least half a day would be very beneficial. Everyone in the family should turn off their phones. If not a full day, then half a day, or even an hour. Phones should be put aside, people should sit and talk, converse, and do things together. Very significant benefits are observed in those who make digital detox a habit,” he stated.
“Trust is formed where there is love and a rule-bound environment”
Tarhan, stating that there is no need to fear the digital world if there is a rule-bound environment, concluded his remarks by saying: “Trust is formed where there is love and a rule-bound environment. So, a mother says, 'I'm giving love,' but it becomes love without love, unbalanced love. This also doesn't work. We see the most problems in inconsistent disciplines. There is love, but discipline is inconsistent; mother is different, father is different… one thing in the morning, another in the evening. That's why consistency is very important. A rule-bound environment creates trust. Rules in a family must be clear. For example, rules are set with the child when school starts. 'You are at school at this time, after school, two hours of free time. Then studies begin.' We plan the day with the child. Both the mother and the child abide by this. If the mother says 'Go study' a minute early, the child says, 'I still have a minute.' This clarity is good. When the child learns this, the mother doesn't need to say 'Go study.' If a child is raised in a rule-bound environment, they will be secure. Then you don't need to fear artificial intelligence and the digital world,” he concluded his remarks.
Plaque presented to Prof. Dr. Tarhan
Following the talk, Bursa Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Naci Çağlar presented a plaque to Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
The program, which attracted great interest, concluded with a group photo session.
