AI and the Age of Aquarius

Spirituality, Community and Intelligent Technology: How will everything work at the cusp of the new era?

Although it may seem strange to some, in this article, I will link technology and astrology. Please bear with me, as I believe we should all strive to be open-minded.

March 2023, Pluto entered Aquarius for the first time in 250 years. In astrology, Pluto is associated with transformation through death and rebirth, as it exposes the shadow side of everything it touches. It takes 248 days for Pluto to orbit the Sun, and it can remain in a zodiac sign for between 12 and 30 years. It is considered a generational planetary object because you can determine which generation you belong to based on which sign Pluto is in. Its influence always brings drastic changes, which are not always pleasant.

For instance, the last time Pluto was in Aquarius, the American and French revolutions took place, dramatically altering the course of history for those countries and the world at large. Many scholars and philosophers argue that the American Revolution laid the foundation for a free society and liberty, inspiring others to fight against oppression.

Since 2008, Pluto has been in Capricorn. The events of that year and their aftermath are still fresh in our minds. In 2008, the shadow side of the financial system was exposed, leading to its collapse, as well as many old hierarchies and paradigms. Following this, someone named Satoshi (whoever they are) came up with Bitcoin as an alternative to traditional finance, creating blockchain technology. Over the past 16 years, this has given rise to the new financial system known as decentralized finance. It began as a few enthusiasts and anti-establishment geeks and has grown into what we have today.

In fact, many more innovative and paradigm-shifting ideas have emerged over the years, bringing about significant changes in society. Consider the rise of social media, which has brought extreme connectivity and the potential for virality. News, both good and bad, now travels at the speed of light, affecting political, socio-economic, and cultural processes in unprecedented ways.

On March 23, 2023, Pluto entered Aquarius where it will remain until January 2024, ushering in a new era that destroys old ways and gives rise to new ones. Coincidentally or not, Chat GPT-4 was launched on March 12th, gaining 100 million subscribers in record time and becoming the fastest-growing consumer app since the internet’s inception.

AI has become a prominent topic of discussion on the internet, causing uncertainty about the future. Undoubtedly, AI will revolutionize society on numerous levels, and it is challenging to envision all its potential use cases. AI’s impact is revolutionary, and it could either be the best or worst thing to happen to us. One thing is certain — there is no turning back. Chat GPT-4 is an addictive technology that, once mastered, will amaze and intimidate its users. Its potential to increase productivity exponentially is staggering, but the transition from the old to the new may be challenging.

What other significant changes are imminent? Perhaps another banking crisis will be the final blow to traditional finance. The banking sector has been engaging in quantitative easing, i.e., money printing, and other measures that artificially prop up the system since the last crisis. It has disrupted the balance if it ever existed. The system is supposed to work and evolve “organically.” Now, no one knows how to recover from it without creating destructive economic waves. Everyone is fumbling in the dark, trying to sound like they know what they are doing.

They are primarily fiddling with interest rates, attempting to curb inflation, but it is not acting in a predictable manner. Surprise, surprise! Look at the recent Silicon Valley Bank woes and the bailout of Credit Suisse. The scope of it all is beyond the scope of this article and, frankly, my comprehension. There are more knowledgeable people than I writing about these things.

I do know that a short-duration loss of confidence in the banking system is all it takes for it all to come crashing down. The world is much more interconnected than in 2008. How quickly can things go south? Very fast. Even a momentary loss of confidence can cause a crisis that is faster and deeper than the one in 2008. All it takes is a few expertly crafted fake or poorly executed genuine news.

Where will everyone turn — hopefully, to blockchain. Is there any other alternative? Meanwhile, crypto has been undergoing its own stress tests and transformations. DeFi may finally be ready for mass adoption. After uncovering some of the best-known bad actors, such as FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried and Luna’s Do Kwon, and enduring multiple bull and bust cycles, frauds, hackathons, and attacks by environmentalists, crypto is now safer. Stablecoins are more stable, and decentralized finance is becoming, well, more decentralized.

In my humble opinion, AI and blockchain technology are a match made in digital heaven. Blockchain can prevent too much power from being concentrated in the hands of a few, and AI can audit blockchain, making it safer and more efficient. Currently, AI is in the hands of a select few, giving them disproportionate power, influence, and financial benefit. These few are in a position to control and monetize the future of humanity effectively. This could be a significant setback for the rest of us who have been rooting for decentralization and feeling the winds of change softly brushing our cheeks.

Blockchain and Web3 can reverse the massive centralization of ownership and control that AI currently brings. In Web3, AI can be trained without sharing data and giving up control of it. Proof of ownership will become increasingly important in a world where AI bots are becoming more intelligent. AI is capable of producing deep fakes, and blockchain might become the only way to validate things.

Aquarius is about consciousness, revolutionary energy, and innovation. It is about equality, objectivity, and collectivism. At the same time, it is about uniqueness and living outside the box. If Pluto in Aquarius is about to bring a social and economic shift for humanity, we ought to be ready and not mess it up. The shift towards spirituality, self-discovery, and community building is gaining momentum in people’s minds. I am hopeful that we will transition into the new era of intelligent technology with a dignified victory. We will not allow machines to conquer us, not in a direct sci-fi man-vs-machine sense, nor in the Orwellian totalitarian surveillance state sense, nor in Darwinian survival of the fittest sense either. Like the Marines, we will leave no one behind. Humankind will prevail and pave the way towards a brighter future for all, not just a privileged few.