Re: Will Robots take over?

On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:28:41 -0700, Islander wrote:


For those retired engineers among us, the IEEE Spectrum recently completed
a special report including a compilation of opinions relating to this
topic, both pro and con. Labeled "The Singularity" the speculation
relates to that point in time when machines become more intelligent than
humans. One writer, Vernor Vinge, speculates:

"I think it's likely that with technology we can in the fairly near future
create or become creatures of more than human intelligence. Such a
technological singularity would revolutionize our world, ushering in a
posthuman epoch. If it were to happen a million years from now, no big
deal. So what do I mean by “fairly near” future? In my 1993 essay,
“The Coming Technological Singularity,” I said I'd be surprised if the
singularity had not happened by 2030. I'll stand by that claim, assuming
we avoid the showstopping catastrophes—things like nuclear war,
superplagues, climate crash—that we properly spend our anxiety upon.

"In that event, I expect the singularity will come as some combination of
the following:

"The AI Scenario: We create superhuman artificial intelligence (AI) in
computers.

"The IA Scenario: We enhance human intelligence through human-to-computer
interfaces—that is, we achieve intelligence amplification (IA).

"The Biomedical Scenario: We directly increase our intelligence by
improving the neurological operation of our brains.

"The Internet Scenario: Humanity, its networks, computers, and databases
become sufficiently effective to be considered a superhuman being.

"The Digital Gaia Scenario: The network of embedded microprocessors
becomes sufficiently effective to be considered a superhuman being."

The list of articles may be found at:

http://spectrum.ieee.org/singularity

Of course we will soon be dumber than computers, but that's not because
computers will become smarter.

--
Glenn

.

Relevant Pages

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