> How people will react by feeling existentially subpar ?
If the few SF books I've read on the subject are any guidance we will continue to feel superior to any AI-entity no matter its IQ or "computation speed". I'm also very, very skeptical that the singularity is even remotely within our technical reach, but that's another subject.
Well, I'd be surprised if people really don't feel dead when machines will over-smart them on everything. (and I'm not even thinking of singularity like times but anyway). Still weirds me out.
I know I wouldn't be overly concerned. I'd certainly hope the machines would be employed to make human life as complete and fulfilling as possible. There is also no real reason to be sad for not being the smartest animal on Earth (which is debatable, anyway - dolphin and mice come to mind) and some reason to be a little proud that we, humans, gave birth to a new kind of life that transcends the limitations of our flesh.
If we are to continue to evolve, intelligent machines will be our partners and our extensions. There is so much flesh can achieve and we can dream much bigger than that.
What will it mean to be human in a 100, 1000, or a million years from now is an open question, and a fascinating one.
I fear this because I think a vast majority of our society is built on personal skills.
It's possible that humans will now be freed from productivity driven skill acquisition and go for passion / sharing in a land self managed by smart assistant. Which could be great you're right.
I'll continue writing software - it's what I love to do. If I can partner with an AI that can do it much better than me, I'll learn, just like I learn from my friends. In the end, we'll all get better at what we do, even if all the serious, vital work is done with help from or by AIs.
the social implications of that will be as cosmic as terrifying