Scrapbook 6 -Stephen Hawking warns of a future where Siri's in control
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Article Summary: Stephen Hawking, the famous theoretical physicist, and scientists Stuart Russell, Max Tegmark, and Frank wilczek have recently wrote an article in the United Kingdom newspaper The Independent. In the article the group warned of the possible dire consequences of an "AI arms race." They mention a number of technological advancements centered around artificial intelligence, such as self-driving cars, the super computer Watson, Apple's Siri, Google Now, and Microsoft;s Cortana. They argue that these technologies and the implications of these technologies may have not been thoroughly thought through. They wrote, "The potential benefits are huge. Success in creating AI would be the biggest event in human history. Unfortunately, it might also be the last."
They argue that even though it may be possible to create computer systems that are more powerful than our own brains, it may not be wise. Every AI science fiction film always shows a world where the AI becomes so sophisticated that it is able to improve its own design.
The group wrote, "one can imagine such technology outsmarting financial markets, out-inventing human researchers, out-manipulating human leaders and developing weapons we cannot even understand, whereas the short-term impact of AI depends on who controls it, the long-term impact depends on whether it can be controlled at all."
They do state that humanity can "learn to avoid the risks" and Hawking discusses different organizations that researching the risk involved with creating a sophisticated AI system.
Why It Was Chosen: As a software engineer major who previously studied psychology, I have always been intrigued by the idea of a computer system that can replicate the cognitive abilities of human beings. I took a course called Brains, Minds, and Machines while attending CSU Chico. I found the class to be fascinating and it was the first time I ever heard of Alan Turing and the Turing test. The research behind creating a computer system that can think and operate as sophistically as a human being has been going on for over half a century. The advancements in technology over the past two decades and specifically the last decade has been tremendous. The idea that mankind could be approaching a true AI system is remarkable.
Ethical Implications: Hawking and his group essentially outlined the ethical issues behind the creation of true AI. Many science-fiction films have also outlined the potential risks of creating a system that can out perform the human. As far-fetched as films like Transcendence and the Terminator films seem to be, it is no longer as far fetched to think that such a system could be created. The world is headed more and more into a state of automation. And this seems to be alright when it comes to making basic manual tasks and even more manual complex tasks automated. However, does mankind even need an AI system to control anything? Sure, it would be great to have an AI vacuum in every household to vacuum the flow every time it detects the floor needs to be vacuumed, but I'm sure that isn't the end goal of researchers. I've never been against the advancement of mankind and I'm not sure I'm against an AI system, but Hawking's concern does make sense and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Credibility of Source: techradar.com is an online publication that provides news and reviews on technology products. It is owned by Future plc, which is the 6th largest publisher in the UK.
They argue that even though it may be possible to create computer systems that are more powerful than our own brains, it may not be wise. Every AI science fiction film always shows a world where the AI becomes so sophisticated that it is able to improve its own design.
The group wrote, "one can imagine such technology outsmarting financial markets, out-inventing human researchers, out-manipulating human leaders and developing weapons we cannot even understand, whereas the short-term impact of AI depends on who controls it, the long-term impact depends on whether it can be controlled at all."
They do state that humanity can "learn to avoid the risks" and Hawking discusses different organizations that researching the risk involved with creating a sophisticated AI system.
Why It Was Chosen: As a software engineer major who previously studied psychology, I have always been intrigued by the idea of a computer system that can replicate the cognitive abilities of human beings. I took a course called Brains, Minds, and Machines while attending CSU Chico. I found the class to be fascinating and it was the first time I ever heard of Alan Turing and the Turing test. The research behind creating a computer system that can think and operate as sophistically as a human being has been going on for over half a century. The advancements in technology over the past two decades and specifically the last decade has been tremendous. The idea that mankind could be approaching a true AI system is remarkable.
Ethical Implications: Hawking and his group essentially outlined the ethical issues behind the creation of true AI. Many science-fiction films have also outlined the potential risks of creating a system that can out perform the human. As far-fetched as films like Transcendence and the Terminator films seem to be, it is no longer as far fetched to think that such a system could be created. The world is headed more and more into a state of automation. And this seems to be alright when it comes to making basic manual tasks and even more manual complex tasks automated. However, does mankind even need an AI system to control anything? Sure, it would be great to have an AI vacuum in every household to vacuum the flow every time it detects the floor needs to be vacuumed, but I'm sure that isn't the end goal of researchers. I've never been against the advancement of mankind and I'm not sure I'm against an AI system, but Hawking's concern does make sense and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Credibility of Source: techradar.com is an online publication that provides news and reviews on technology products. It is owned by Future plc, which is the 6th largest publisher in the UK.