Today in class I had brought up the notion of technology becoming an enemy due to its own potential goals or wants. I think this might have either been confusing or misinterpreted- when I say ‘smart robots’ I’m not referring to the ones seen in exaggerated Hollywood movies like Transformers or I, Robot. I’m not talking about the type of robots with external human-like features, but the military technologies that our government hopes to have fabricated within the next decade or so. It is said that in the near future, the United States will have produced intelligent jets that are programmed to fly without the guidance of humans, lock onto a target and drop bombs in a precise location. It is this type of technological advancement that I was saying could be detrimental to humans. It doesn’t seem that crazy to think that, for example, in a war between two countries, one of the country’s intelligent bombing devices could automatically begin to make decisions about when/where to drop their bombs. If humans can give intelligence to everyday gadgets like GPS systems; Google Earth satellite imaging; and OnStar crash protection, why couldn’t we give machines further intelligent elements?
Another way technology could defy human goals is through the internet. Things like viruses exist and are a common problem in a lot of people’s computers, so the potential for a super-virus that infected mass computers isn’t such an extreme idea. We rely on them to hold confidential data; economic/bank figures; health records; military records; scientific information, etc. It is no question that computers are smarter than humans, and if we give computers human qualities (like analyzing what the best decision is in a critical situation [jet example]), is it really that far-fetched to think that one day humans might push the limit and destroy ourselves with the technology we created?
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I can see where your coming from. I think its ironic that many people would brush claims like these aside, citing that its the kinda thing that would only happen in movies. Yet with current technologies becoming more and more advanced its starting to seem plausible.
ReplyDeleteThe main fallacy in your argument is that you are assuming that the creators of these computers or technologies are some sort of foolish mad doctor that are bent on creating some sort of self aware robot. At first you mentioned that you were not claiming anything like the "Matrix" is going to happen but later on you talk about jets which are capable of learning. You must remember that the people who are constructing these things are EXTREMELY intelligent people who have a complete and absolute understanding of their invention and are completely aware of ALL of its capabilities. I am hard pressed to believe that someone that kind of intelligence would allow their invention to become independent of its controllers i.e the jet somehow is no longer under the control or observation of a human. Humans just seem too power hungry to relinquish any type of control to something that they create.
ReplyDeleteSure, people can be extremely intelligent. But can those same people not also be extremely corrupt?
ReplyDeleteAnother arguement you can make here is a simple one. Consider people who train and deal with wild animals, especially ones bred from captivity. Im sure handlers may think they are in control, but theres always the possibilty of it freaking out and attacking them. I know this is different from robots, but the situations seem similar to me.
ReplyDeleteI think that's what makes it a great movie plot. People who are extremely intelligent using their powers for evil. We would all be in serious trouble. Maybe these bad guys are so messed up that they don't realize their own creation would harm its creator too. Maybe I just watch too many scary movies...
ReplyDeleteI don't think that it's farfetched to believe that humans have and will push the limits to where we can go. I feel that we are slowly destroying ourselves as well as the things we have created and even the environment and animals around us. And if you were wondering about another good movie where this is demonstrated, check out Wall E. It gives a perfect example how technology controls us rather than the other way around. I just wrote a blog related this so you should check it out if you get the chance.
ReplyDeleteThe scientists don't have to be corrupt to still invent something that will destroy humanity. Like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK1jD3_sdvY&feature=related, inventions that are initially tested to help humans have now been picked up by defense agencies, and are funded for the government in order to be used in future wars. The one thing saving us from complete senseless destruction is that every soldier can think for themselves, and may save human life because they too are human. but sending robots like this out with a computerized machine gun strapped to it will mean that every human standing in its way is doomed.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has gone too far when it takes humanity out of human-human interactions.
I think you raise an interesting point. There’s no question that we are pushing the limits of technology and now our society depends on it. However, I do not think that we are in such danger that human kinds will eventually give machines the ability to act completely alone as they depend on us too. What worries me is that the United States and other major powers use their latest technological advancements for war or weapons of mass destruction. I think that we could be using our technology for something other than war and protection.
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