This week we learned about AI and technological singularity. I think it's an interesting topic, in that our technological advances are exponential, and that perhaps the creation of superhuman intelligence is right around the corner. And even with AI, will we ever truly achieve technological singularity? Looking at the technology advances that we have achieved now, while the older generations are having a more difficult time understanding and using them, it is almost second nature to the younger generations (us), who use them on an everyday basis. So in the future, isn't it possible that our intelligence will not be surpassed because those younger generations will be experts in that technology?
Do people really believe that something greater than human intelligence can be created? And if it is created, what do you think will be the consequences for the human species? With more advances, people become more lazy. Think of the website that allows people to hunt in Africa from the very comforts of their couch. If true singularity is accomplished, then where will the human race fit on this planet?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I personally think that we may continue to head down that path towards technological singularity but I don't believe that we'll ever reach the point where we will be dominated by AI. I think most people would feel safer by avoiding becoming too dependent on computers. Yes, there are people who are obsessed with the Internet but for most of us, we use it in minimal ways. Humans like to feel in control and use technologies to make things easier, not to completely replace a human function (i.e. gadgets in your stomach to digest food? we have our own enzymes for that job). So the consumers will probably limit the technological/AI market by only choosing the technologies that are not too invasive in normal human capabilities.
ReplyDeleteThe singularity isn't necessarily "technology that takes over humans" or even "technology that is smarter than humans." It's technology that makes itself smarter by design. The whole idea is that once we create software that can improve itself, it gets very hard to predict what it can achieve, or even whether we'll be able to control what it chooses to do. Eventually, it's likely that some programmer will accomplish this feat in a piece of software whether the market demands it or not.
ReplyDeleteI think the concept of technological singularity can work in a limited scope. Like w ashley, I do believe that a programmer will be able to create software to improve upon itself. However, I think there will be a limit to its improvement. Aivi n brings up a valid point to singularity's limit. I find it hard to believe that technology can go so far to maintain human functions. Each individual has its own unique balances of enzymes to maintain human functions. I cannot envision technology being able to adapt to these balances to serve as a replacement for functions such as food digestion.
ReplyDeleteLike the previous post I think the idea that technology can replace total human functioning severely undermines human capabilities. While this technology will continue to advance, so too will human thought and knowledge- after all someone has to create and maintain these technologies. Complete domination by Artificial Intelligence, creates a notion that humans themselves will relinquish complete control to AI. I do not believe this to be the case. AI and such technology could produce sufficient benefits; however, full dependence could be incredible harmful. Technological problems can occur without warning and often without previously found solutions. Thus complete dependency on technology that "takes over human thought" is impossible.
ReplyDeleteAs w.ashley said, this software will occur whether we demand it or not. One question is if a programmer can create software to improve upon itself, what if it has a glitch that the programmer cannot fix because it is beyond his human mental capacity. As alvi said, the problem is with control and if the software is more sophisticated than our thought, there is no control. I think the better question is can we deal with these consequences if we cannot even predict the consequences?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if superhuman technology will ever exist, but I certainly wouldn't throw the option out of the window. Considering the curve of our technological advancements, it seems as if that point where technology is superhuman is going to exist. If that point is ever reached then there has to be immense regulation of AI because if not then at what point can the technology decide that they don't need humans anymore and that they can run on their own. I just don't see the benefits outweighing the costs in these sorts of things where you're creating superhuman technology. The key would really be to limit our dependency on AI.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I believe that we will ever reach a point where machines are smarter than the human brain. I think technology's ability can only go as far as the human mind can invest in it. I do think we can reach a point where computers can largely mimick a human brain (but this is limited by the number of thought processes and commands that human beings are aware of themselves). The neural network of the human brain can create new synapes and abilities every second. A computer's network system can only keep up as fast as human beings update them. Maybe I'm being narrow-minded in my considerations, but I just simply don't think we will see the day where a computer can overcome the human brain.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the human race is far too intelligent to ever be surpassed by AI. As Tiffany pointed out, the intelligence of our youth is growing exponentially and they are being trained for jobs that we don't even know exist yet. We are true human beings and I don't think a machine will ever be able to surpass the true intelligence that we possess. They may think faster and longer, but humans are the ones who created them. The product can never surpass the creator.
ReplyDeleteImprovements in technology simplify everyday tasks and make human tasks easier. I do not think that computers will take over the world and AI will surpass the human race, however, AI does replace jobs. If a computer can complete a project faster and for less money, the person previouisly responsible for the job becomes unemployed. Improvements in AI will provide society with efficiency.
ReplyDeleteThe website for virtual hunting in Africa from your computer was brought up in lecture to question whether these games desensitize people to violent actions. I do not necessarily agree with this. However, I would say that it makes our society lazier. AI has the potential to make people lazy as well. Technology could allow us not to use our brains as much. I do not think a machine (chip) could replace natural human intelligence. Competition in our education system is making our children smarter. There is also more access to education. AI can and will further benefit our society. I agree with the point that we need to remember humans are the ones who created the technology; therefore, it is hard to picture such a thing surpassing us.
ReplyDeleteDecades ago, society was intimidated of computers and the potential, now, I feel we are more comfortable with the fact that we are in control of the technology.
There's no way that artificial intelligence will ever consume human rationale and intellect. Technological singularity refers to the ability for computers to be able to reinvent themselves, make themselves "smarter" and more capable, and become "self-sufficient," by reprogramming themselves. I'm not denying that the human race may one day succumb to this AI by means of some cinematic-like takeover or simply by shear laziness, but it's clear that any program cannot replace thought, feeling, and compassion. It's these adjectives that separate us from technology in the first place. The human race may one day become wiped-out by some program error or glitch, but since it will be the result of human error, obviously not some ploy of machines, there's no need to compare the two.
ReplyDelete