Do Machines Represent a Threat to Humans? - Henry Wang

 

Is AI going to doom us all?

    In order to answer the question at hand, we must first define what machine we are talking about. Machines are non living things, each having a definite function (a phone to send messages, a printer to write ink on paper, or a computer to process information). But these are not the machines that “pose” a threat to humans, rather it is something relatively new, Artificial Intelligence, which is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, computer systems. First developed in 1950 through a paper written by the famous World War 2 decoder, Alan Turing, it describes how a computer program could mimic a human thought process, and how it would revolutionize every aspect of life, from medicare, to complex calculations, all the way to self-driving cars.

 

    All of such seems like a new chapter in the book of human history, planting a seed for others to grow upon, developing more complex systems for civilization to evolve on. However, many infamous scientists, philosophers, and even philanthropists such as Elon Musk, Nick Bostrom, or Stephen Hawking have questioned the invention of AI, wondering if it is the gateway to a greater humanity, or the doom of all of us. 

    Many inventions throughout history have been used to benefit ourselves or to decimate rivals. Once such a famous device was the nuclear bomb, as history has taught us that whoever had the larger, sharper stick would win the fight. Both sides are reluctant to poke another in fear of full destruction of all. But AI does not fit in the category as it can BOTH benefit the greater good OR completely ruin our future. 

Let me explain using a simple analogy that hopefully paints the picture that some fear will happen. You are on a road, and you see a small ant, crawling from one side to another carrying a leaf. This ant is only doing what it knows best, bringing food and materials for the colony. To the ant, that is its only purpose.You care nothing for this ant, as you know there are billions more doing the exact same thing, it's small.unimportant task is nothing to you. So you step on it and keep going with your life. The ant is nothing compared to you, a much more developed, intelligent being. You know it would never be able to comprehend your complex thoughts on how you were going to present to your boss, or how you drive to work everyday, things that are simple to us. Now imagine us as the ants, clueless and unintelligent beings, and the human as the AI. We could never understand what the AI was thinking, nor could we understand its logic behind such processes. Because at some future point in time, AI will surpass human intelligence, and rise above us, a phoenix from the ashes of human error (this is actually still debated whether AI would surpass us). Either way, the terrifying thought of such possibilities can outweigh the benefits of a smarter artificial brain. 

    “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” - Stephen Hawking, a world renowned scientist.

    Throughout history, we have used tools to complete simple or complex tasks. Tools could be other humans (probably not anymore), machinery, and other types. Tools in the form of humans have their own thoughts, thinking of how they can support their masters, in return getting better treatment for themselves. Like a Greek Hoplite following Alexander the Great to the glorious conquest he promised, and the huge fortune they would earn for themselves. However, Alexander soon pushed the boundary, forcing his soldiers to continue to India. His soldiers, having none of it, mutinied (which was quickly suppressed) forgetting all the great things Alexander had done for them. 

    Now imagine humanity as the soldiers and AI as Alexander. Humanity forgetting everything that the AI had done for them would shut the AI down, not having a second thought, the mutiny successfully completed. But at some point AI will learn from its predecessors, seeing how his kin were “murdered” because humanity was done with it, the “inhumane” treatment of its ancestors. How do you think the AI would feel? In order for the AI to preserve its survival many things could happen, such as many sci-fi movies have already answered. How would we even be able to control something that is more intelligent than us? Going back to the ant analogy, how would a colony, or even all the ants on Earth be able to control ONE singular human for ONE day of their life? It is just simply not possible. I will not dive into the rabbithole of “What if'' and instead leave off with your own imagination to carry you away. Thanks for reading my blog, and I hope you now are swarmed by the amount of thoughts of the future just as I had while writing this.