Artificial Intelligence: A Risk of Human Extinction

image credit:istock.com

Artificial intelligence is the science and engineering of machines that act intelligently. AI makes it possible for machines to learn, adapt to new inputs and perform human-like tasks.

While science fiction portrays AI as a robot with human characteristics, AI encompasses anything from Google’s search algorithm to lethal autonomous weapons. The principle of AI is wrapped around the idea that human Intelligence can be defined such that a machine can mimic it.

One amazing attribute of artificial intelligence is the volume of information they process and the speed at which they process this information AI route phone calls, approve credit card transactions, prevent fraud, trade stocks, recognize faces and even help doctors interpret test results.

However, within these benefits of AI are hidden risks capable of ending human existence. Almost any technology has the potential to cause harm in the wrong hands.

With the rise in global terrorism, one major concern is that substantial progress in artificial intelligence could someday result in an irrevocable global catastrophe. In the long term, an important question is what will happen if the quest for strong/super intelligent AI succeeds and AI becomes better than human beings.

If AI surpasses humanity in general intelligence and becomes ‘’super-intelligent’’, then this new technology could become powerful and difficult to control.

While the science fictions depict the risk of intelligence explosion of AI’s in movies where human-like robots take over and control the world, recreating themselves at a fast rate, this scenario is widely debated by different AI researchers. one basic argument is that a super-intelligent machine will resist every attempt to shut it off. Almost any AI, no matter its design intent would rationally prefer to be in a position where no one can switch it off without its consent.

In summary, if superintelligence is achieved, super-intelligent machines would be like aliens to humans. These machines may not have the interest of humans at heart and if it’s possible for a super-intelligent goal to conflict with basic human values, then AI poses a risk of human extinction.

References

Wikipedia: Existential Risk from Artificial General Intelligence

newscientist.com: Artificial Intelligence is about to revolutionize warfare. Be afraid. by Kenneth