Will Intelligent Machines be a Future Threat?

Artificial Intelligence researchers worry some machines may eventually be able to make decisions on their own.

SUMMARY: Leading artificial intelligence (AI) researchers believe computers and other machines may become so intelligent in the future, they could pose risks. Sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), a panel of 25 AI scientists, roboticists, and ethical and legal scholars convened in Menlo Park, California to address such prospects as human-level artificial intelligence, self-evolving machines, and the possibility the internet could become self-aware.

AI machines are already at work in the real world. Some robots can vacuum and mop, and others help lifeguards decide whether or not a person is really drowning. However, at present such systems can do no more than advise and assist humans, but AAAI warns the day isn't far off when machines could have the ability to make and execute decisions on their own. What precautions should we be taking?

The panel members agreed that creating human-level artificial intelligence is possible in principle but disagreed as to when such a breakthrough will occur. In 20 years or 1,000? Tom Dietterich of Oregon State U. said much of today's AI research focuses not on human-level intelligence but rather on "idiot-savants" systems that work at tasks in a very narrow range of application, such as math. However, the panel did spend considerable time discussing whether there could someday be a runaway chain reaction in which machines would be capable on their own of building ever-better machines. Most of the panel members were skeptical that could occur in the foreseeable future.

A more immediate concern is the possibility of malware (malicious computer software) which could mimic human behavior. Identity thieves might be able to plant a computer virus on a smartphone that could monitor text and voice messages, e-mail, etc. a virus which then could impersonate that individual with little or no guidance from the thieves. One expert worries that we are close to creating systems so complex and opaque that we don't understand them.

Such worries are causing scientists to consider "the responsibility of an AI researcher." But for now they reassure us of one thing--the internet is not about to become self-aware.

To read the entire article click on this NEW SCIENTIST link.

COMMENT: It is a good thing that some scientists are seeing a responsibility in this developing area of research. While many scientific advances have greatly aided humans, some of it, such as "dirty bombs" or the aforementioned computer viruses, hasn't.

My prayer is that as these researchers work with artificial intelligence, they might contemplate the source of human intelligence. If human scientists can intelligently design "intelligent" machines, who intelligently designed the human designers? Perhaps, they then can eventually be led to find the source of all intelligence, the Creator God, whose identify they can discover only in the pages of the Holy Bible.

Like Christians everywhere, these AI scientists may also become reassured that God cares for His creatures and will not allow anything to threaten us that is not according to His plan. Psalm 23:4 reminds us: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

I seriously doubt creatures (in this case, machines) could ever become more intelligent than their creators (in this case, the scientists). That is especially true when we are talking about us human creatures and our divine Creator. We are making a serious mistake when we try to make God conform to our own desires. "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33 NIV) For our future eternal welfare, may we not reject that godly wisdom we find in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

How much does an IMAX projector weigh and cost?

An IMAX projector weighs as much as a male hippopotamus (2 to 3 tons). It costs around $5 million and has a bulb so bright that if pointed upward it can be seen from the International Space Station. (Picture: IMAX theater, from Wikipedia)

Source: Discover (June, 2009)

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