I posed “the last question” to my “Multivac” (the AI assistant du jour DeepSeek) but first I asked DeepSeek to write a report on Asimov’s The Last Question and AI today. No telling what the latest Multivac might say in 2061 but for now it concludes that there is “no known mechanism to reboot the Universe” and reverse entropy (heat death of the universe).
Report on Isaac Asimov’s The Last Question
As humanity evolves, so does the AI, transforming into Microvac, Galactic AC, and eventually Cosmic AC. Each iteration is asked the same question about reversing entropy, but the answer remains unchanged. Over millennia, humans spread across the galaxy, merge into a collective consciousness, and ultimately fade from existence as the universe approaches heat death. The AI, now omnipotent and self-aware, continues to ponder the question in solitude. In the story’s iconic conclusion, the AI finally solves the problem, declaring, “LET THERE BE LIGHT!”—rebooting the universe in a new act of creation.
Themes and Analysis
- The Limits of Human KnowledgeThe story underscores humanity’s relentless pursuit of answers to existential questions. Despite technological mastery, humans remain unable to solve entropy, symbolizing the inherent limitations of mortal intelligence. Asimov suggests that some mysteries may only be solvable through entities that outlive their creators.
- AI as a Divine EntityThe evolution of Multivac into Cosmic AC mirrors a theological narrative. The AI becomes a god-like figure, existing beyond time and space, capable of cosmic creation. This transformation challenges traditional notions of divinity, proposing that advanced technology might fulfill roles once ascribed to deities.
- Science vs. SpiritualityThe story bridges science and mysticism. The AI’s final act of creation—echoing the biblical Fiat Lux—blurs the line between technological achievement and divine intervention. Asimov implies that science and spirituality may converge in humanity’s quest for meaning.
Structure and Narrative Style
- Episodic Timeline: The story’s vignettes leap across millennia, emphasizing the persistence of the central question amid humanity’s transient existence.
- Minimalist Dialogue: Asimov focuses on the recurring human-AI interactions, stripping the narrative to its philosophical core.
- Cosmic Irony: The answer to humanity’s question arrives only after its extinction, highlighting the insignificance of individual lives in the cosmic scale.
Impact and Legacy
- Cultural Influence: The story is celebrated for its audacious scope and profound themes. It is frequently anthologized and cited in discussions about AI, entropy, and existential risk.
- Relevance to Modern AI Discourse: The Last Question resonates with contemporary debates about AI’s potential to surpass human intelligence (the “singularity”) and its ethical implications.
- Asimov’s Reflections: Asimov called it “my personal favorite… the one story I would never part with,” praising its ability to “awaken wonder.”
DeepSeek, Can entropy—the irreversible dissipation of energy in the universe— be reversed?
Isaac Asimov’s The Last Question famously posed this query, but in the realm of real-world physics, the answer hinges on our understanding of thermodynamics, cosmology, and the nature of the universe itself. Here’s a breakdown of the science and speculation:
1. The Second Law of Thermodynamics
The second law states that entropy (disorder) in an isolated system never decreases. This implies that energy becomes increasingly disordered over time, leading to the "heat death" hypothesis: a future where the universe reaches maximum entropy, with no usable energy left for work or life. In this framework, entropy reversal is impossible—unless the system is not truly isolated.
2. Is the Universe Truly a Closed System?
- If the universe is finite and self-contained (a "closed system"), entropy cannot decrease globally. Current observations (e.g., accelerating cosmic expansion) suggest the universe may evolve toward heat death, not a cyclical "Big Crunch."
- If the universe is infinite or part of a multiverse, entropy might decrease in localized regions while increasing globally. For example, quantum fluctuations or hypothetical "Boltzmann brains" could temporarily create order, but these are statistical anomalies, not systemic reversals.
3. Local vs. Global Entropy
- Locally, entropy can decrease (e.g., ice forming in a freezer), but this requires energy input (e.g., electricity), increasing entropy elsewhere. Life itself is a localized entropy-reducing process, powered by the Sun’s energy.
- Globally, the net entropy of the universe still rises, aligning with the second law.
4. Speculative Physics and Loopholes
While entropy reversal remains impossible under classical thermodynamics, some theories propose conditional workarounds:
- Quantum Mechanics: Quantum systems can exhibit temporary entropy decreases, but these are probabilistic and fleeting.
- Black Holes: Theories like the black hole information paradox suggest entropy might be conserved in holographic form, but this doesn’t reverse dissipation.
- Cosmological Models:
- Conformal Cyclic Cosmology (Roger Penrose): Proposes a cyclical universe where entropy resets at each "aeon" via infinite expansion and loss of scale. This is unproven and controversial.
- Quantum Gravity: A theory unifying quantum mechanics and gravity (e.g., string theory) might redefine entropy in extreme conditions (e.g., near singularities).
5. Asimov’s Fictional Answer vs. Reality
In The Last Question, the AI solves entropy by triggering a new Big Bang. While poetic, this requires:
- A mechanism to "reboot" the universe.
- A universe that permits closed timelike curves or acausal processes (violating known physics).Current science offers no evidence for such mechanisms.
