The End of Humanity in Silicon Valley and the Roots of Transhumanist Ideology

Some technology leaders and researchers in Silicon Valley view the development of artificial intelligence, which could bring about the end of humanity, not as a risky failure, but as an inevitable part of the transition beyond biological evolution.

Origins of Transhumanist Thought

Pioneering roboticist Hans Moravec wrote in 1987 that humanity would leave behind Darwinian evolution and mortality to make way for robotic super-intelligent minds.

Moravec's predictions found a wide resonance in Silicon Valley, where the counter-culture of the sixties merged with entrepreneurial and science-fiction-inspired visions of the future.

Quasi-Religious Understanding in the Tech World

Over time, transhumanism transformed into a quasi-religious belief among powerful technology actors, providing an intellectual justification for building superior machines despite the risks.

This ideology explains why tech circles continue their work in this field despite warnings and predictions that artificial intelligence could eradicate humanity.

Techno-Optimism and the Manhattan Project Justification

The standard defense rationale for artificial intelligence development bears similarities to the Manhattan Project, resting on the argument of preventing authoritarian rivals like China from developing this technology first.

Prominent figures such as Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and Dario Amodei have championed technological optimism while dismissing existential risks and the precautionary principle.

Post-Biological Generations to Replace Humanity

Beneath mythological elements and heroic narratives lies a worldview that sees the obsolescence of humanity as an inevitable and desirable step in evolution.

This approach positions machines as the true post-biological descendants of humanity and considers the biological end as part of the plan.