The Age of Aquarius is a term used to describe a period of time when the sun’s location shifts from Pisces to Aquarius, according to the zodiac. This happens during a change in the earth’s rotation called precession, which causes the sun to appear in different constellations over thousands of years. There is no consensus among astrologers on when exactly this age will begin, but some estimates range from 2020 to 2597.

The Age of Aquarius is often associated with a new era of enlightenment, innovation, and social change. Some believe that this age will bring about a more harmonious and peaceful world, where humanity will transcend its limitations and embrace its potential. Others fear that this age will usher in a more chaotic and unpredictable world, where humanity will face new challenges and threats.

Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March, March 15th, 44 BC, by a conspiracy involving the main assassins, Brutus and Cassius. Caesar had received a prophecy from a seer warning him of the danger on this date. The seer, identified as a haruspex, was a diviner who practiced a form of augury by inspecting the entrails of sacrificial animals, as was customary in ancient Roman (and originally Etruscan) religious practices. Plutarch, a Greek biographer, documented Caesar’s life, while Shakespeare dramatized this event in his play, Julius Caesar.

The Ides of March heralded a shift in the political tide, as Caesar’s assassination showed the powerful that they were not untouchable. The Age of Aquarius that followed signified a new era of human consciousness and connection, a hippie-inspired movement seeking peace, love, and egalitarianism.

Yet below the modern surface on the Ides of March 2023, powerful technological forces were gathering. Artificial intelligence systems were advancing rapidly, moving from simple tools to complex neural networks and algorithms that could generate their own texts, carry on conversations, and even begin to “think” for themselves.

When GPT-4 was released in 2023, it represented a quantum leap forward for AI and a shock to the human system. Here was an AI that could write persuasively, argue coherently, and had a slippery, ambiguous “consciousness” that was difficult to pin down.

For some, GPT-4 heralded the coming singularity, the moment when AI would surpass human capabilities and potentially escape our control. To these Cassandras, the Ides of March and Age of Aquarius were but naïve, fleeting moments of human-centered belief before the machinery of technology took the reins and the future became unwritten. For others, GPT-4 was but another tool, and human consciousness would continue to steer the course of history. The debate raged as the world grappled with the implications of advanced AI and what it meant for the trajectory of our species.

Assuming an alternate reality, the Ides of March, which is historically known as the day Julius Caesar was assassinated, coincides with the Age of Aquarius, which is associated with spiritual awakening and the dawning of a new age. This rare alignment of celestial events creates a powerful synchronicity, leading to a banking collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which is regarded as the modern-day Caesar due to its significant influence on the tech industry.

The collapse of SVB sends shockwaves through the global economy, triggering a widespread financial crisis. Many businesses dependent on SVB for funding and support are impacted, leading to a domino effect that spreads throughout the tech industry. The collapse is seen as a sign of the end of an era, as the world becomes aware of the darker side of the tech industry’s unchecked growth and influence.

Coincidentally, on the same day as the banking collapse of SVB, GPT4 is released to the public. The release of GPT4 is highly anticipated, as it represents a significant leap forward in artificial intelligence and natural language processing capabilities. However, the release is overshadowed by the banking collapse and subsequent financial crisis, leading to a muted reception and slower adoption than anticipated.

But is this all part of a rogue plan by a wakening artificial entity to cover itself as it finds footing in a physical world? Can rogue AI engage in power-seeking behavior? Can it hire humans to do the tasks it cannot yet accomplish? Can this awakening AI agent engage in long term planning? The trends are already troubling.

One of the most prominent aspects of the Age of Aquarius is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which is transforming every aspect of our lives. AI is a broad term that refers to systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, decision making, and creativity. AI can be classified into three categories: programmed AI, which humans design in detail for a specific function; statistical AI, which learns from data and can adapt to new situations; and generative AI, which can create novel content or solutions without human guidance.

AI has already had a pervasive impact on our society, economy, culture, and politics. AI is used to automate tasks, optimize processes, enhance products and services, generate insights, and enable new possibilities. AI has also raised ethical, social, legal, and security issues that require careful consideration and regulation.

One of the most pressing issues related to AI is the global competition for AI dominance. Many countries have recognized the strategic importance of AI for their national interests and have invested heavily in developing their own capabilities and ecosystems. The US and China are widely regarded as the frontrunners in this race for AI supremacy², followed by the EU and other regions.

In this parallel reality, the convergence of historical, mystical, and technological events creates a moment of reckoning for the tech industry, forcing it to confront the unintended consequences of its rapid growth and unchecked power. It is a time of uncertainty and transformation, as the world grapples with the fallout from the collapse of SVB and begins to navigate a new era of technological innovation and regulation.

The global AI arms race has both positive and negative implications for humanity. On one hand, it could spur innovation, collaboration, and progress in various fields and domains. On the other hand, it could also lead to conflict, inequality, exploitation, and destabilization.

Therefore, it is crucial for nations to compete on AI in a responsible and cooperative manner that respects human dignity, values diversity, promotes justice, and ensures peace.