Intelligence

Intelligence

I have thought about the emergence of a superior intelligence on earth quite a bit. This could come in several forms but the two most likely are augmented humans or completely artificial. The best bets are that this will happen with in twenty years and certainly before the end of the century. Some even go as far as suggesting that an organised system could be pulled together that would exceed human capacity within eight years.

So what have we done to prepare ourselves (humanity) for this next step change in our existence? What steps can we take to ensure that we can cohabitate this planet with superior beings? The first step is to examine the way humanity had dealt with less able species or even other humans. If we take this as a model then humanity as we know it will end. We have ruthlessly subjugated anything we could control. If/they pose a threat then we work on eliminating the threat. From bacteria to less advanced peoples humanity has shown scan regard for the other. Why would our successors be any different.

The genie can not be controlled and it is pushing at the cork right now. Attempts to prevent it happening are foolish at best. There are enough individuals with access to sufficient technology to progress this effort regardless of what legislation is enacted. The perceived rewards are just to great to resist. Anything from get richer quick schemes, global dominance and immortality are more than enough motivation to ensure that it will happen.

Science fiction authors are the key group who have thought about this subject to any depth and in general the consensus is not good. Asimov proposes a set of deeply embedded laws to control the beast. The problem with this is that the whole goal of making a superior AI will be for profit and hence exploitation is desirable property. There are also a small number of non-fiction publications dealing with the ‘Singularity’ but these tend to focus on the technology and not the outcome for the human society.

It is hard, if not impossible to predict the outcome and this is why it is has been dubbed the singularity. No one knows what will happen on the other side of it. So keep your eyes open for the event. If you have a god then pray that what ever form our successor takes that it/they will treat us better than we have treated every living thing on the planet.