Artificial intelligence is getting smarter by leaps and bounds. Within this century, research suggests, a computer could be as “smart” as a human being. And then, says Nick Bostrom, it will overtake us: “Machine intelligence is the last invention that humanity will ever need to make.” A philosopher and technologist, Bostrom asks us to think hard about the world we’re building right now, driven by thinking machines. Will our smart machines help to preserve humanity and our values, or will they have values of their own?
What I found interesting about this TED talk, is how Nick Bostrom believes that as human beings we have a core desire to progress AI technology until it kills us. He believes there is a part of our minds that actually wants us to die but robot; which ultimately means our progression and intelligence will be the death of us.
Also, the point he makes about us becoming reliant on the robots/technology, and how that will stop us from hitting the “off switch”. This made me question how much we rely on robots already. Examples of everyday AI include google maps, Email spam filters and Facebook; all of which I use on a daily bases. Not to say I couldn’t live without them however, travel, work and communication would be harder without them. A scary thought, one that makes me wonder what technology we will be living with in 10 years or 20 years time; and whether it is improving society or making it lazier.
