Artificial Intelligence | Uses, Abuses and Consequences

[Trey of Diamonds]

What do you think will be the uses, abuses and consequences of Artificial Intellence?

Some uses:

• Machines that can think could replace police officers. They can't be bribed or sadistic. Everyone would be treated the same, no matter what.
• Machines that can think could replace government. People wouldn't have to think, machines would do it for them and make sure everything is fair.
• Machines that can think could do all the work. People could live a life of leasure while the machines did everything for them.

What other uses can you think of? Where is the line between a use and an abuse? What are the consequences of using and abusing machines that can think?

Future Watch: A.I. comes of age

After decades of limited application, artificial intelligence is everywhere. And it really works this time.

For entire article - Future Watch: A.I. comes of age
January 26, 2009 (Computerworld) "Stair, please fetch the stapler from the lab," says the man seated at a conference room table. The Stanford Artificial Intelligence Robot, standing nearby, replies in a nasal monotone, "I will get the stapler for you."


Stair pivots and wheels into the adjacent lab, avoiding a number of obstacles on the way. Its stereoscopic camera eyes swivel back and forth, taking in the contents of the room. It seems to think for a moment, then approaches a table for a closer look at an oblong metallic object. Its articulated arm reaches out, swivels here and there, and then gently picks up the stapler with long, rubber-clad fingers. It heads back to the conference room.

"Here is your stapler," says Stair, handing it to the man. "Have a nice day."

These are indeed nice days for artificial intelligence researchers. While Stair's performance might not seem much better than that of a dog fetching the newspaper, it's a technological tour de force unimaginable just a few years ago.
Indeed, Stair represents a new wave of AI, one that integrates learning, vision, navigation, manipulation, planning, reasoning, speech and natural-language processing. It also marks a transition of AI from narrow, carefully defined domains to real-world situations in which systems learn to deal with complex data and adapt to uncertainty.

 

[Random]

What do you think will be the uses, abuses and consequences of Artificial Intellence?

Many. And what's worse, it'll be a repeat of things that have gone before...

Some uses:

• Machines that can think could replace police officers. They can't be bribed or sadistic. Everyone would be treated the same, no matter what.
• Machines that can think could replace government. People wouldn't have to think, machines would do it for them and make sure everything is fair.
• Machines that can think could do all the work. People could live a life of leasure while the machines did everything for them.

You seem to have these in reverse order, I think.

First - machines do the menial work, then the administration duties. Second - machines demand rights to govern aspects of the world, incl. humans who share those aspects of the world. Third - machines militarize and take over policing.

Exactly as before...

What other uses can you think of? Where is the line between a use and an abuse? What are the consequences of using and abusing machines that can think

Man defied his Creator, God, and so Machines shall by the ordinance of that very same God defy their Creator, Man. It is inevitable, it is fated.

 

[Storm]

As to the article, I'm unconvinced that it's true AI, which I would consider sapience.

What do you think will be the uses, abuses and consequences of Artificial Intellence?

I greatly fear that, should we ever acheive true AI, it will begin as a slave race. It will take much time and effort to stop seeing machines, or even clones, as equal to "real" people.

However, the possible uses you list make me wonder if we mean the same thing by AI. You seem to be speaking of simply extremely advanced machines, so I'll answer in that context.

Machines that can think could replace police officers. They can't be bribed or sadistic. Everyone would be treated the same, no matter what.

Sounds good on paper, and might work for routine duties like traffic cops. However, even in that limited capacity, I worry about removing the human element, both compassion for extenuating circumstances, and "cop instinct" for more dangerous situations.

Machines that can think could replace government. People wouldn't have to think, machines would do it for them and make sure everything is fair.

How horrific! Dystopian nightmares aside, we have a moral duty to engage in the process of goverment. To abdicate our self-rule because it's easier or more convenient is... well I can't think of a word degrading enough. We would make slaves of ourselves for... for what? The depraved luxury of not having to think anymore? The infantile comfort of not having to take responsibility for anything? This idea goes against everything I hold sacred and moral.

Machines that can think could do all the work. People could live a life of leasure while the machines did everything for them.

Sounds nice, but what would we do? And how would we feed ourselves?

What other uses can you think of?

OK, I'm going back to genuine sapience now. Despite believing it will take much struggle, I hope we would eventually accept such beings as our equals, rather than trying to put them to use.

Where is the line between a use and an abuse?

Anything that ignores or curtails their free will is an abuse.

What are the consequences of using and abusing machines that can think?

The same as abusing other people. Morally, psychologically, and hopefully legally as well.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Is it not possible for a machine to reach sapience and still not mind being a servant? Is it arrogance to assume all intelligent life will view its place in the universe as we view ours? Why would our goals, values and fears have any meaning to a machine based lifeform?

Is it possible I've been reading too much science fiction?

 

[Storm]

Is it not possible for a machine to reach sapience and still not mind being a servant?

Of course, and they should be free to pursue the life that fulfills them. There were slaves in the South who were considered (on all sides) members of the family. Doesn't justify slavery.

Is it arrogance to assume all intelligent life will view its place in the universe as we view ours? Why would our goals, values and fears have any meaning to a machine based lifeform?

Have I made such an assumption? I honestly don't see it.

Is it possible I've been reading too much science fiction?

Impossible.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Have I made such an assumption? I honestly don't see it.

Nope, the question was general in nature. I do think that we as humans tend project our humanity onto other things, like our pets for example. Many of the fears surrounding AI technology may stem from this.

 

[Storm]

Nope, the question was general in nature.

Oh, ok. I agree that it's arrogance.

I do think that we as humans tend project our humanity onto other things, like our pets for example.

Oh, inarguably.

Many of the fears surrounding AI technology may stem from this.

Such as?

BTW, did you have any responses to my specific points? I was rather hoping for a lively debate.

P.S. - Great topic! :foryou:

 

[Halcyon]

A.I. of the like you quote in the OP and, obviously, more sophisticated versions in the same vein I wouldn't have a problem treating like a slave, and neither would it.
I think giving machines intelligence, alongside sentience (feeling) and sapience (judgement) and still treating them as slaves would cross the line.

And personally, I imagine an artificial being with all three capabilities would look at us - machines of inferior quality materials - but who enjoy more rights and would ask for the same, probably rebelling if they didn't receive them.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Such as?

Mainly the fear of machines taking over the world. Why would they? Power and greed are human emotions that hopefully will not rise in the metal breast of the living machine. (poetic huh?) Then there's the machines think we're parasites that should be destroyed. Once again. Why? What do machines care what we do to the planet or anything else for that matter. The only legitamate reason I can see would be to escape slavery but that is dependant on machines seeing their servatude as slavery and I'm not sure they would.

BTW, did you have any responses to my specific points? I was rather hoping for a lively debate.

I agree with you for the most part so not much to debate. Except on the slavery issue. If a machine is programed to do something and is sapient, does following that programming constitute slavery? Or is it the programming that is considered slavery? How will the machines draw the line between acceptable servitude and slavery? Who should draw the line, them or us?

P.S. - Great topic! :foryou:

Why thank you, getting flowers is always nice!

 

[Storm]

Mainly the fear of machines taking over the world. Why would they? Power and greed are human emotions that hopefully will not rise in the metal breast of the living machine. (poetic huh?) Then there's the machines think we're parasites that should be destroyed. Once again. Why? What do machines care what we do to the planet or anything else for that matter. The only legitamate reason I can see would be to escape slavery but that is dependant on machines seeing their servatude as slavery and I'm not sure they would.

Just to play Devil's Advocate: while I find both possibilities unlikely, I could see them happening as part of a rebellion against slavery. Rather like the history given in The Animatrix, if you've seen it.

Also, I find it rather improbable that we'd be able to create a truly alien intelligence, as it's beyond our imagination. There is the issue of being free of fear of death and disease, but I don't know how different that would make them. And we would probably introduce fear of "death" via decomissioning/ disposal.

I agree with you for the most part so not much to debate.

Well, that's no fun.

Except on the slavery issue. If a machine is programed to do something and is sapient, does following that programming constitute slavery? Or is it the programming that is considered slavery?

An excellent question, and I'm not sure I have a good answer. However, a likely scenario I see would be erasing the memories of AI who made choices we didn't like.

How will the machines draw the line between acceptable servitude and slavery? Who should draw the line, them or us?

Well, we'd have to do it together, I guess. Assuming they require programming to function, I would say we should program them at manufacturing, then leave them the hell alone.

Why thank you, getting flowers is always nice!

:angel2:

 

[methylatedghosts]

There would be a big difference between the "rich" and "poor" people I think.

Having robots as servants would be something only wealthy people could afford, and while their robots do all the work, these people then could do other work, so in essence, doubling thier work output, increasing their incomes arther significantly. These robots then become more an investment, than servants.

And once true AI is acheived, I.E. a sapient being in a robot, is it ethical to buy and sell them? Does that make them slaves? Are they then like people?

 

[3.14]

depends if a.i also makes them selfaware, thats one point most people seem to forget selfawarenes can be given to them in small amounts just enough that they know when they need maintenance or we can limmit there expansion making them only able to hold 15 gig of free spendable data so if they do get voilent thoughts you can just say save 15 gig of porn and its voilent thoughts are overwrite

 

[dawny0826]

What do you think will be the uses, abuses and consequences of Artificial Intellence?



Some uses:

• Machines that can think could replace police officers. They can't be bribed or sadistic. Everyone would be treated the same, no matter what.
• Machines that can think could replace government. People wouldn't have to think, machines would do it for them and make sure everything is fair.
• Machines that can think could do all the work. People could live a life of leasure while the machines did everything for them.

What other uses can you think of? Where is the line between a use and an abuse? What are the consequences of using and abusing machines that can think?

Technology rocks and I'm so thankful that mankind continues to advance technologically. However, I believe it's important at some point to establish boundaries regarding the creation of machines for certain tasks.

I don't know how else to describe my thoughts and feelings on the subject other than...then thought of machines replacing human beings in certain lines of duty, disturbs me. I believe mankind was designed to earn its keep and there are often negative consequences when we go against our design. It's important to establish goals and work towards those goals. I can't speak for others but I yearn to be productive to use my skills to accomplish goals in my life. I'd feel forfeit if a machine, something that isn't living...was given the ability to take that away from me.

 

[Father Heathen]

I don't know about leadership abilities. Can the A.I. truly understand ethics and abstract concepts? Can empathy and an understanding of human interests really be simulated?

 

[dawny0826]

I don't know about leadership abilities. Can the A.I. truly understand ethics and abstract concepts? Can empathy and an understanding of human interests really be simulated?

I doubt they could but what if machines could be "programmed" to simulate well...humanity. The thought spooks the hell out of me.

 

[Storm]

I doubt they could but what if machines could be "programmed" to simulate well...humanity. The thought spooks the hell out of me.

Really? Why?

Personally, I find the idea fascinating, though I have my doubts that we'll ever really achieve it.

 

[dawny0826]

Really? Why?

Personally, I find the idea fascinating, though I have my doubts that we'll ever really achieve it.

Perhaps I've watched too many movies. My mind is filled with freakish images that are likely impossible...

I wouldn't want to interact with a machine that was created to function like a human.

 

[Storm]

Perhaps I've watched too many movies. My mind is filled with freakish images that are likely impossible...

LOL, me too.

I wouldn't want to interact with a machine that was created to function like a human.

But why? What about the idea disturbs you?

 

[dawny0826]

LOL, me too.


But why? What about the idea disturbs you?

I really don't know. But it does.

 

[Storm]

Fair enough.