Q: Does AI pose a threat to human existence?
A: Yes and no. Yes because any technology can be used to harm. No, because there is no such thing as computer hardware that thinks. All of the intelligence is in the software that is an instruction from a human mind. There are two advantages to the computer: the loop and speed. This results in the computer being able to do the same task ten million times without taking a coffee break or asking for a raise. It just repeats the loop and does so without an error. Further, because of its speed, it can do complex computations in a second that a human may need half a year, In both cases the computer is simply following the instruction of a human being. The intelligence comes from the programmer and systems designer. The one and only thing that the computer hardware does is tell you if the gate is open or closed All the rest is human intelligence.
Q: How about the robot that is programmed too kill every person that it see and you cannot get to an off switch?
A: H ow does that differ from one human setting up a hundred bear traps that trap any human that sets their foot in one?
Q: I see your point. I guess it is like the potential misuse of firearms or fire.?
A: Exactly. The bear trap is not intelligent. It is the trapper that knows where to set it that counts as intelligent.
Q: Then you do not expect computers to become self aware?
A: No, I do not. Human intelligence is not a physical phenomena It comes from the higher dimension of thought. In thought there is no limitation. Its potential is infinite. How would you go about programming infinity? What would your software instruction be to tell a computer to imagine or visualise? To be emotional?
Q: So tell me how all this relates to the price of gold?
A: All who worry about AI are like those who bow down to idols of wood and stone. Do not listen to the program, listen to the designer of the program. And remember: Carthage must be destroyed.
Photo credit: Robbie1 via Visualhunt.com / CC BY
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