“Hard” AI, more like A Hard Lie. (Essay 5)

AI or (Artificial Intelligence) according to techopedia is defined thusly:

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and react like humans. Some of the activities computers with artificial intelligence are designed for include:

Speech recognition
Learning
Planning
Problem solving”

Human beings often have a hard time imagining something they have never seen/heard before. When we are introduced to a new situation we often rely upon a previous experience to help us understand what is currently happening. I believe this is why people prefer to use “human” like AI rather than Logic based AI. This isn’t to say that I think people incapable of logic but more that as a society we rely on what we can understand easily rather than the logical thinking. People design AI with human tendencies because it is the easiest for us to understand, not only this, it is also easier for us as we know and understand the perspective of a human being. When people think about AI they often think about “Hal” or “Skynet” and the fact of the matter is that this isn’t possible with our current technology and way of thinking. AI is currently incapable of being nothing more than a very clever illusion of persona or rational thought. Ai is very good for monitoring tasks and doing mundane jobs that a person might find boring/challenging ( such as overlook the digital ecosystem of a game.)

AI is often represented in mass media as something that is potentially dangerous and scary. Nearly every article I read after googling the term “Artificial Intelligence” showed results of how “deadly” AI will become in the future. People are often unaware that as impressive as AI is, it is not sentient and capable of free will. AI is not able to decide what it wants to do. The most important aspect when designing AI is the intent behind the design, as this intent will shape the decisions of the AI. If mankind where to ever achieve true “strong” AI I think it would probably take the form of cybernetic engineering and body- computer integration. I think that we will probably end up augmenting ourselves to the point that “AI” and Intelligence would be one and the same. I think the consequence of humanity achieving a true AI would be the eventual destruction of humanity, either through annihilation or assimilation. Thankfully I do not believe that true AI is possible. I think that people are very good at anthropomorphising technology and applying more credit to a program that could be very simple. People are often a little disillusioned when they find out how AI actually works.