Helen Beetham’s recent insight into human intelligence reveals that it’s not a fixed attribute but a continually evolving capacity. She argues that intelligence is a human trait that’s developed through interactions with our environment, including our social, cultural, and physical surroundings. Beetham highlights the importance of ‘intelligence augmentation,’ a concept that involves enhancing human intelligence through technology. She underscores the role of technology in making us smarter, not by replacing our cognitive functions, but by supporting them.
The piece suggests that the digital age has brought about a new form of intelligence, ‘digital intelligence.’ This form of intelligence is not about how proficient we are with technology, but how well we adapt, learn, and make decisions in a digital environment. Beetham emphasises that developing digital intelligence is crucial in the current era.
She also touches on the ethical implications of intelligence augmentation. The discussion centres around how to ensure that the benefits of intelligence augmentation are distributed equitably and do not exacerbate existing social inequalities. Beetham calls for a collective approach to intelligence augmentation, where everyone has a say in how technologies are developed and used to enhance human intelligence.
Go to source article: https://helenbeetham.substack.com/p/human-intelligence