Scientific culture in the age of artificial intelligence

The current development of cutting-edge technologies such as large models and generative artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted worldwide attention and discussion. In 2023 alone, AI has left indelible marks on industrial modes, societal structures, international relations, human production and people's daily lives. This surge in the influence of AI resonates with those historical turning points during which technological breakthroughs spurred systemic transformations, redefined societal norms and heralded the dawn of new eras of civilization. Given these historical parallels, it appears that we are now in the throes of an evolutionary leap in civilization involving an all-encompassing digital and intelligent transformation. So, what does the future hold for humanity as it navigates this transition?

It is clear why AI technology can elicit a great deal of fear; the apprehension is not so much about the technology itself but rather the uncertainty and disorientation at this turning point of civilization. The sweeping changes brought about by AI have rekindled some fundamental philosophical inquiries, and they have revealed more uncharted territories that extend beyond our senses and imagination. For instance, the latest technological advances have challenged our conventional wisdom regarding the interplay between technology and society; this calls for a radical re-evaluation of the dynamics between humans and machines, as well as between carbon-based life forms and silicon-based intelligence. As strong AI that is capable of matching human cognitive prowess increasingly immerses itself in human society, the very essence of human civilization — the ‘human-based form’ — may be radically upended. When that day arrives, how are we going to regulate, harmonize and adapt to the new order of human–machine symbiosis? How do we introspect and redefine the essence of human existence? Clearly, in the face of such a profound and overarching shift, human culture is bound to experience a complete technologically driven revolution.

In the light of these developments, the construction of a forward-looking scientific culture has become a daunting and pressing challenge. In the era of AI, how will advances in science and technology (S&T) shape the contours of scientific culture? At the core of our values, how can we ensure that scientific culture not only guides but also champions the use of S&T as a force for good, and is dedicated to the betterment of humankind? What attributes should our scientific culture possess to keep up with the emerging ecosystem of innovation? While definitive answers to these questions may elude us at present, the imperative to respond is clear. With this in mind, I wish to make the following four main points.

First, the development of AI will change the form of scientific culture. For instance, as AI technologies advance, there will be an escalating demand for the seamless integration of computer science with other technologies; this interdisciplinary convergence is a hallmark of scientific culture. As another example, the development of AI underscores the necessity for large-scale infrastructure and collaborative efforts; an increasing trend towards organized research will reshape the traditional ethos of independently conducted scientific inquiry. In addition, AI's prowess in synthesizing and applying vast repositories of knowledge promises to catapult human innovation to unprecedented heights, bringing new dimensions to the culture of innovation. Finally, with its unparalleled capacity to process and analyse mega data, AI is well positioned to tackle complex research challenges that have long eluded traditional methodologies and to promote a systemic and holistic approach to research. All of these factors will lead to a paradigm shift away from reductionism, which has been the cornerstone of modern scientific inquiry since the scientific revolution, and this will reshape the scientific culture.

Second, the evolution of AI technology will impose new requirements on scientific culture. As AI technology reaches the stage of wide application, humanity may find itself entering a so-called ‘post-truth era’, shifting from ‘I think therefore I am’ to ‘I believe therefore I am right’. Such a transition not only raises a fundamental philosophical question but also challenges the value structure underpinning the contemporary scientific culture. There are also ethical challenges: issues of uncertainty about the reliability of AI algorithms; security issues such as the possibility of data leaks, unauthorized function alterations and privacy protection; concerns about energy consumption and sustainable development triggered by AI's immense computational power; and social equity issues stemming from an increasing digital divide. All of these problems involve the fundamental issue of ethical values and touch upon the relationship between rights and responsibilities, and they give rise to a multitude of ethical dilemmas. Consequently, the tension between scientific and humanistic cultures in the AI era will become increasingly pronounced. To ensure that S&T serve as a force for good and in service of human welfare, our scientific culture should evolve in response to these new dynamics. It should interact with the humanistic culture to effectively bridge the gap between science and the humanities, thus achieving a ‘third culture’.

Third, the progression of AI technology has increased the standards of scientific literacy across society. As AI goes on to reshape the paradigms of education and learning, it will also change the primary actors for scientific and cultural advancement. An emphasis on individual capability and rights is a prevailing trend in the AI era. In line with the principle of matching rights with responsibilities, when most people are confronted with a myriad of complex and fragmented ethical issues in S&T, they must be able to make well-reasoned value judgments and practise effective self-regulation. This necessity inevitably brings the scientific culture of the AI era back to the fundamental question of how to effectively improve scientific literacy throughout society. Moreover, it enriches scientific culture by adding new dimensions—including digital literacy and information literacy—to the concept.

Fourth, the advancement of AI technology requires China to strengthen its scientific culture and make greater contributions to the establishment of a global community of civilizations. The cross-cultural, cross-linguistic and multi-modal attributes of AI will produce a digital order on an unprecedented scale, and it will transform some geopolitical and local concerns into universal challenges that humanity must collectively confront. Consequently, it is now more vital than ever to cultivate a global community with a shared future underpinned by common values. Currently, the international community has reached a preliminary consensus regarding the guidelines and principles for the global governance of AI. However, current compulsory measures, such as laws, policies and systems, may still be insufficient to resolve the disparities stemming from historical interest patterns. To truly achieve cooperation and coexistence on the principles of inclusiveness, openness and mutual trust, a scientific culture that transcends specific cultural contexts and respects the diversity of civilizations could prove to be a vital foundation for reconciling differences. In this endeavour, nations such as China, which have withstood numerous technological and civilizational shifts and accumulated a rich historical legacy, should play role. At a symposium of cultural heritance and development in June 2023, Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of jointly striving to forge a new culture and construct a modern civilization for the Chinese nation. The Chinese nation is responsible for coping with the challenges of the AI era, expanding new territories of scientific culture and contributing solutions to the common challenges faced by humanity. As it stands, China has already developed certain advantages in the AI field in terms of policy planning, infrastructure construction and basic research. If we can build on these foundations and open new horizons in building scientific culture, this will provide a significant impetus for the resurgence of the Chinese civilization.

In conclusion, while the dawn of the AI era will undoubtedly bring new challenges and shifts to scientific culture, its core tenets—such as the quest for truth, rational inquiry, critical falsification, logical reasoning, empirical testing, numerical expression and open innovation—will not change, and the spirit of science will remain intact.