Week 5

1. Do you think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future?

My opinion is that artificial intelligence will absolutely be significant problems in the future. Given Ray Kurzweil's observations on the “exponential” nature of advancements in computational power through advances in hardware/software, mankind is going to have to be very careful about how it approaches the production of artificial intelligence. Humans are far from perfect and I'd wager that any emergent artificial intelligence resulting from human code would have some flaws. The concept of singularity is also a bit daunting to contemplate.

I'm just going to shoot off some general hypothetical doomsday scenarios involving technology and artificial intelligence from off the top of my head based off of some technological trends I've noticed:

Recent technological endeavors have focused on adding internet connectivity to everything from cars, toasters, refrigerators, toilets, thermostats, and so forth. In my opinion this is all frivolous hedonism but the end result of “The-Internet-of- Things” would be pretty terrible if a malfunctioning/rogue artificial intelligence ever gets onto the network and wrecks everything connected to the Internet.

An increasing trend in automation of tasks also could be problematic if we start handing more and more jobs to artificial intelligences, like combat to drones, driving to smart cars, welfare watching to HAL 9000. Anything goes wrong and people WILL die, probably in numbers directly proportional to how widely adopted a type of automation becomes. This doesn't even factor into the societal upheaval resultant from machines totally eliminating certain types of jobs that won't be made up for (robot warehouse workers for Amazon, etc).

There are also certain moral and ethical issues concerning artificial intelligence. When we create these intelligences, are we acting as masters of new slaves? Intelligence implies consciousness and will. Given the state of current race relations, I'm doubtful that artificial intelligences will be welcomed with open arms as equals.





2. How has technology impacted your life?

Every facet of my life is impacted by technology. From the technological advances in hospitals decreasing rates of infant mortality, to everyday technological marvels that people don't even consider anymore, my life would be much emptier without technology.

 I start my day with an alarm clock, a combined marvel of electricity, simple software, and hardware manufacture. Morning meals usually come form the microwave, another jewel in the crown of human technological innovation. Commutes take place by plane, train, and automobile, all wondrous technological objects that many don't even take the time to marvel at anymore.

I'm using a computer to type this assignment. I can use my smart phone to check on any piece of information available on the internet. I can use the phone to talk to people tremendous distances away from me instantly, as long as we're both on network. Technology is everywhere and I'm perfectly fine with that, as long as I don't become delusional and come down with electromagnetic hypersensitivity.