In the past century, the human race has expanded at an unimaginable rate. Our knowledge of the universe and its workings has grown more profound with each year. Our capacities for innovation and creativity have proven themselves time and time again. But among all of these developments, there's one that has horrified science-fiction writers and conspiracy theorists for decades: artificial intelligence.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is no longer a mere theory. It's very, very real. You may have already used the iPhone's Siri, or seen videos of robots that are capable of mimicking real human relationships. But as the AI industry expands and true robotic sentience appears not only possible, but increasingly inevitable, we need to think about the future, and how AI will affect it.
We must ask ourselves, for instance, about the possibility of true robotic sentience. If and when robots become self-aware, we're going to have to answer some really difficult questions about ethics. We only dominate our world because we are the smartest species on it. If robots met or surpassed our own intelligence, would they have a right to inherit the Earth? If robots were truly sentient, would we still be their controllers, and if so, wouldn't it amount to slavery? Would we be able to treat robots as expendable, as we do today?
These are all real concerns that we'll have to ask in the coming century, as our technology grows more advanced and sophisticated. We say that all men are created equal. What about machines? We are completely unique among everything else we know of. We ask questions, and we explore different aspects of life. In terms of intelligence, no living thing we know of comes close Mankind. Someday that may very well cease to be true. And I think Someday could be much closer than we think.
What are your thoughts on AI? Do you think robots will always be treated as inferior to humans? Do you think it's even possible for a machine to gain sentience? Don't be afraid to share your thoughts in the comments below, or email me at contemplationsblog.gmail.com, and don't forget to stop by Contemplations' Facebook and Google+ pages.
Come and witness my thoughts about life and the Universe, as I, just like many other people, attempt to find my place in our ever-changing and beautiful world.
