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Bintz 1
Jordan Bintz
English 1201
Adrienne Cassel
12 April 2015
Artificial Intelligence
When compared to all other beings, the intelligence in humans makes us more
distinguished as a species and aids us in our remarkable abilities. The statement previous to this
is an opinion based in fact. Truly, humans are not very genetically different than any other
species. People have the same basic needs and desires as animals. The idea that separates us from
“them” is just that, our ideas. Somehow or another, we are the group that is more intelligent,
compassionate, and innovative. Not only can one tell others these things, but from there, others
can comprehend and philosophize them. We are the only species to question why we are the way
we are. Our minds are wired differently. The human brain is the most complicated thing in the
world, according to itself. All of this begs the question; can our thoughts be replicated? Should
they be? Artificial intelligence is already on the rise, but certain individuals would like that to
stop. They are afraid of the undetermined outcomes of this evolving technology. This is an
honorable approach, but one that is unnecessary. The research of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
should be furthered greatly, because it will revolutionize the world, solve problems of various
kinds, and at the very least, officially determine whether or not it is possible/safe.
First off, the very definition of AI is a machine capable of thought and able to exercise it.
This can be extended to include a number of different, smaller areas (Whitson). This can also be
used to compare machinery to people. Despite the simplistic definition, the actual concept of AI
is extremely advanced. Even now, scientist are grasping into thin air for the answers, but if the
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advancements in modern technology from the last fifteen years is any indication, we could be
looking at a huge lifestyle changes in a relatively short time. According to André LeBlanc, “By
the year 2035 many experts are saying that computers will be just as intelligent as human
beings.” Whether certain people like it or not it will be integrated into our daily lives. This is not
meant to sound menacing, but informative. Artificial Intelligence will revolutionize the world.
AI will improve virtually everything. Machines could operate our daily functions. Systems
would change, of course, but directed in a positive slope. Since the beginning of the recorded
past, innovation has led to specialization. Nomadic people were able to settle down, and make
objects to ease work. The Industrial Revolution in the 1800’s paved way for free time. Even
now, efficiency and safety are being improved. Think of how much easier everyone’s life is
because we do not have to create things by hand. As can be seen in the
HeathResearchFunding.org ad, consider the phrase in Figure 1: “Working hard so we can hardly
work.” This implies that as soon as we have improved this technology, we can continue to
Figure 1
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specialize. Think about the devices we carry around in our pockets that can now do our math,
make long distance communication easy, provide light, have the ability to find any knowledge
that is available, and so much more. Many people cannot consider about how much different and
difficult their life would be without it. “AI today is advancing the diagnosis of disease, finding
cures, developing renewable clean energy, helping to clean up the environment, providing highquality education to people all over the world, helping the disabled and contributing in a myriad
of other ways”(Kurzweil). With more advancements in technology in general, things will
continue to improve.
Some have concerns AI will go entirely wrong. They fear we cannot control or restrain true
intelligence. The following scenario has created quite a stir in academic communities:
Imagine a machine… programmed to make as many paper clips as possible. Now
imagine that this machine somehow became incredibly intelligent. Given its
goals, it might then decide to create new, more efficient paper-clip-manufacturing
machines—until, King Midas style, it had converted essentially everything to
paper clips. No worries, you might say: you could just program it to make exactly
a million paper clips and halt. But what if it makes the paper clips and then
decides to check its work? Has it counted correctly? It needs to become smarter to
be sure. The superintelligent machine manufactures some as-yet-uninvented rawcomputing material (call it “computronium”) and uses that to check each doubt.
But each new doubt yields further digital doubts, and so on, until the entire earth
is converted to computronium. Except for the million paper clips. (qtd. Ford)
This example is a good scenario and representation of the worries many people, including
experts, have. No one is completely sure situations like this will not come to pass. Maybe AI will
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take over the world, but it is not very likely and can we cannot know for sure. The people who
will eventually develop true exchangeable intelligence will be doing something never achieved
before. They will be brilliantly intelligent themselves, and keeping in mind everyone’s
objections, they will be regulated. To go kamikaze in a very finicky area would not be smart, but
with slow work, dedication, and attentiveness, any hazards that come about will be minimized
and treatable. Many experts are under the impression that AI machines will not only not be
problems, but will be capable of solving them. In the novel Our Molecular Future, Douglass
Mulhall expresses many issues like natural disaster prevention/awareness and space exploration
failures being virtually eliminated. With more intelligent computers and such, math algorithms
could be done faster, more quickly, and with less error. Also, machines capable of thought could
essentially create new ones (Hauser). Other more personal issues could be limited as well.
If all turns out for naught, more research would at the very least indicate that. The lack of
knowledge we have on the subject leads to inconclusive data as to whether or not our attempts to
change the technology we currently have would end in good or bad. If research was furthered,
we would know one way or another what we are facing. To stop because it scares people is not
the way to go about things. Take for instance swimming. A person afraid of drowning may not
going to practice or get lessons. If that person ends up in the water, they are more likely to
drown. If scientists are to not prepared to dive into this work, it could make everyone’s fears a
reality. If research was more supported things could be taken care of even safer than they already
are. The lack of information present in most people clouds their judgement. The way it seems
scientists believe artificial intelligence is going to come about is not as scary or unknown as
people think. Genetics and Quantum Physics will play a major role. Math algorithms will point
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the way to any key success (Wichert). When it is broken down like that, is it really so terrible?
Maybe difficult, but alien? With more funding we can determine the full potential of AI.
The only counterargument yet to be mentioned is whether or not Artificial Intelligence is
ethical. If you create thought do you not also create semi-life, and if so, is it right for you to put
them to use? A scenario from 1950 was summarized in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
“Turing himself characterizes this test in terms of an ‘imitation game’ whose original version is
played by three people, a man (A), a woman (B), and an interrogator (C) who may be of either
sex. The interrogator stays in a room apart from the other two. … The object of the game for the
interrogator is to determine which of the other two is the man and which is the woman. The
interrogator is allowed to put questions to A and B [by teletype to avoid visual and auditory
clues]. … . It is A's object in the game to try and cause C to make the wrong identification. …
The object of the game for the third player (B) is to help the interrogator. We may now ask the
question, `What will happen when a machine takes the part of A in this game? Will the
interrogator decide wrongly as often when the game is being played like this as he does when the
game is played between a man and a woman?” Because machines have yet to pass this test, they
are limited in comparison to humans (Hauser). It is imperative that people do not mistake
intelligence for humanity.
There are many concerns raised about this topic from very different spectrums of people
and reasons, but I believe the research of Artificial Intelligence should be expanded. It will
transform the world, solve problems of various kinds, and officially determine whether or not it
is possible/safe. So much has changed in recent years making this technology more and more of
a possibility. We will adapt with it and to it in the years to come, but only if it is made possible
through more research.
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Works Cited
Artificial Intelligence: Working Hard, So We Can Hardly Work. HeathResearchFunding.org.
2015. Digital Image. 6 Mar. 2015. <http://healthresearchfunding.org/pros-cons-artificialintelligence/>
Ford, Paul. Our Fear of Artificial Intelligence. MIT Technology Review, 11 Feb. 2015. Web. 6
Mar. 2015.http://www.technologyreview.com/review/534871/our-fear-of-artificialintelligence/
Hauser, Larry. Artificial Intelligence. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ISSN 2161-0002.
Web 6 Mar. 2015. http://www.iep.utm.edu/art-inte/#H6
Kurzweil, Ray. Don't Fear Artificial Intelligence. Time 184.26/27 (2014): 28. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 6 Mar. 2015.
LeBlanc, André. “Artificial Intelligence and the Future.” Tedx Talks. 12 Jan. 2015. Video. 6
Mar. 2015.
Mulhall, Douglas. Our Molecular Future : How Nanotechnology, Robotics, Genetics, and
Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Our World. Amherst, New York: Prometheus
Books, 2002. Print
Wichert, Andrzej. Principles Of Quantum Artificial Intelligence. Hackensack New Jersey: World
Scientific Publishing Company, 2014. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 6 Mar.
2015.
Whitson, George M., III, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Artificial Intelligence. Salem Press Encyclopedia Of
Science, 2013 : Research Starters. Web. 6 Mar. 2015.