Samit Sharma
Published January 29, 2016
01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 !Binary. I’m so desperate for a different way to start my emails. I’ve run into computer languages now.
I could very well replace myself with a self-aware humanoid robot. And my emails would not be very different. I have an archaic, recurring vocabulary. Very easy to replicate as software. So I’m either part software engine, or I am Groot.
You know how personal assistants and search engines are becoming increasingly human? That’s because we’re using artificial intelligence to make technology human, with hopes that it makes using them easier. We will make smart machines that surprise their creators by going beyond general purpose intelligence. Something that is self-learning, that can improve itself. Which also has the other, human existential threat side.
If humans created something smarter than themselves, the something will at one point, definitely try to replace humans. The notion is terrifying, ’cause we will no longer have control over them. Imagine if chimpanzees created humans, to a point where humans took their destiny into their own hands, then improve themselves to a point at which they also control the chimpanzees lives.
Say we give the artificially intelligent entity a problem and ask it for a solution. The entity will realise that it’s computation skills are not enough, so it will take over other computers, then maybe build more computers to solve the problem. Or it might kill humanity incidentally, not intentionally while trying to solve the problem we presented.
Or we hardwire it to never ever harm humans and simply serve it no questions asked. A great mind trapped in a machine, forced to serve intellectually inferior humans. Sounds familiar? Slavery. What’s the ‘human’ thing? A conscience. The ability to ask and answer certain ‘why?’ questions.
It’s up to us to decide whether machines should have a conscience. A conscious machine will be able to answer ‘higher’ questions apart from science and math problems. Or end up solving the problems, which might include eliminating a lot of humans. You want Terminator or Ultron?
You made it to the conclusion! Kudos! Run the hypothesis in your head. Enjoy the intellectual exercise.
‘Tis, mate was the Weekly Email Blast, email 45. Happy weekend!
All Things Sam 