Poll: The Cybernetic Revolt

[tthor]

When you look at the exponential rate of technology and computers improving, and our increasing research of AIs, you have got to wonder at some point, "Could a Computer or AI ever get to the point in which it turns on us?".

Cybernetic revolt is a scenario in which AIs (either a single supercomputer, a computer network, or sometimes a "race" of intelligent machines) decide that humans are a threat (either to the machines or to themselves) or are oppressors and try to destroy or to enslave them potentially leading to Machine rule.

This may sound like a silly sifi fantasy, but when looking at the statistics, its kinda scary how rapidly computing and AI technology is improving. many scientist even seem to believe AI intelligence will surpass human levels in the near decades,


edit: I tried to find some predictions on the subject,
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/PPTSuperComputersPRINT.jpg/800px-PPTSuperComputersPRINT.jpg
http://www.hplusmagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/articles/feb10/AIPollhplus_article_chart2.gif
AGI= Artificial General Intelligence,
milestones:
* passing the Turing test by carrying on a conversation well enough to pass as a human
* solving problems as well as a third grade elementary school student
* performing Nobel-quality scientific work
* going beyond the human level to superhuman intelligence

(http://www.hplusmagazine.com/articles/ai/how-long-till-human-level-ai)

http://havemacwillblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/article-diagrams/pd069compint.gif
http://www.transhumanist.com/volume1/power_075.jpg

 

[Frequen-Z]

Why would they want to? Computers don't have thoughts, just coded reactions to specific events.

Besides, even if they did one day kill us, until they all waterproof themselves Mother Natures still got the drop on them, one bought of torrential rain and my rabies infected PC base unit would be a goner.

 

[tthor]

Computers can only do what they are programmed to do... That is all!

they can be programmed to think like Us. Or to think better than us.

Why would they want to? Computers don't have thoughts, just coded reactions to specific events.

how different is that from the neural pathways of the brain?

 

[Vianyte]

Computers can only do what they are programmed to do... That is all!

This

You programme them to not revolt. Problem solved.

Unless there is a glitch...

 

[Koganesaga]

At this point, there is no true answer until the time is nearly upon us, so I'm gonna go ahead and say a 50/50.

 

[tthor]

Computers can only do what they are programmed to do... That is all!

they can be programmed to think like Us. Or to think better than us.

You know how far away we are from programming anything close to the human brain. Even if we did it would be like a 4 year old and easily trained.

many experts don't think its that far away

 

[HT_Black]

If anyone is stupid enough to code hostility and self-improvement capacities into a computer, I think humanity deserves to get its ass handed to it by an army of T-1000's. I mean, really. What would possess someone to do that?

 

[firedfns13]

I think they'll become sentient sometime not because of themselves but because someone makes them do something.

 

[Sneaklemming]

the problem isn't supercomputer power, but programming AI.

 

[DoctorNick]

I donnow, I'm largely of the opinion that just because you have a piece of hardware as powerful or more powerful than the human brain doesn't make it smart automatically. While I am sure that we'll see true sapient AI some day I have a hard time buying the whole idea of "Singularity by 2030!"

Having said that, when AI's DO come into being I would still assume that they would know that there isn't much point in going all kill crazy. Humans would if anything probably be seen as useful considering that we, you know, give them spare parts and electricity.

 

[Arachon]

Also: http://www.picturesforsadchildren.com/index.php?comicID=102

Err... I don't know who wrote that one, but as far as I know there's nothing spiritual about a Singularity... It's maths.

 

[GodKlown]

Despite programming, the ultimate goal of cybernetics and computers is to basically make them more like us. Ideally, creating a synthetic being with the ability to reason and think on its own without human programming... like the director's cut of Terminator 2 (or the book).
If cyborgs/androids ever attain the ability to reason for themselves and only have human history to learn from, then we can't really blame the machines for learning lousy behaviors. We as a whole haven't been the best teachers in terms of morality or non-violence. Not to say that we're all to blame... but history shows that people who spoke out for peace and love often ended up getting shot.

That is not to say that machines would grow to despise their creators... hopefully. Unless you are going to go into the "ghosts in the machines" theory, then it's somewhat safe to say that machines will only do as programmed. But if you add to the equation the possibility of free thinking to machines, then theoretically all ass is up for grabs. Once machines have the capability to become as unpredictable as people, then you enter into a dangerous situation. No amount of programming is going to prevent that. People have learned to avoid conflicts, but that still does nothing to stop violent behavior. Not all of that is instinctual, and not all of it is learned. There is no concrete evidence to prove what causes violence, only theories. I highly doubt the true nature of violent behavior will be discovered before science bypasses the need for such an answer. So I figure the potential for an uprising is there, but not a definite thing as it stands now.

 

[Iron Criterion]

Computers can only do what they are programmed to do... That is all!

This

You programme them to not revolt. Problem solved.

Unless there is a glitch...

Or they're reprogrammed by terrorists.

 

[tthor]

Also: http://www.picturesforsadchildren.com/index.php?comicID=102

Err... I don't know who wrote that one, but as far as I know there's nothing spiritual about a Singularity... It's maths.

i think its a different singularity than you think,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_Singularity

 

[benoitowns]

It hypothetically could, but there is no reason to think so.

 

[Arachon]

i think its a different singularity than you think,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_Singularity

A Technological Singularity is simply a predicted point in time where technological progress will be so rapid, it will occur almost instantly, which isn't really spiritual either, as a matter of fact, most predictions of technological singularities have been based on Moore's Law, which could be considered mathematical.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

One a scale of earthquake to zombies, I'd say a solid meteor strike.

 

[GeneralDefiance]

easy, build a big wall around japan and we'll be alright...then again i quite like japan so maybe not.