Category: Think
Nowadays the technology advancement has gone so far that recently reputable scientists like Stephen Hawking felt a need to openly warn us again about the devastating threat that Artificial Intelligence may pose to the humanity if we continue to develop it in an irresponsible manner. If we don't develop it adequately we might end up responsible for our own destruction. He even went that far to predict that only colonization of other planet(s) will be long term solution for sustaining our race.
Even if such cataclysmic scenario may not be realistic (at least not in the short run) I believe the point is well made and it's good to repeatedly rise awareness about such stuff. Also, it's interesting to think about possible scenarios related to that field. One alternative says that expected fusion of technological and organic components can result in creation of self aware robots that may over time reach higher consciousness levels. This shall allow them to strive for more independent existence and cause them to develop hostile intentions to neutralize humans who created them. Other scenario predicts that we might use artificial intelligence for stopping or even reversing global warming phenomenon. In such worse case scenario cyborgs may suddenly have a change of heart and decide to make Earth inhospitable to live or deprive humans of vital resources. Also, who knows what might go wrong in the development process and trigger robots' desire to (un)intentionally outsmart us. And who determines the line between the two?
In any case, from today's standpoint following things are certain:
- according to Google, the internet produces as much information every two years as the rest of all of human history combined.
- it's just the matter of time when artificial intelligence will surpass human knowledge.
- UK became first country in the world that legally approves creating "3-person babies".
- if at the end technology destroys humanity, we'll have only ourselves to blame.
- Gary Kasparov already lost a chess match against the "super computer". Are you sure you know what's next?
One big issue here is also that we simply become more and more dependent on the technology and many of us no longer know how to function without it. It's actually very thin line between technology optimizing our daily lives and making us addicted to it. Many companies already heavily exploit our emotional connection with the technology and turn us into their mindless worshipers. Just imagine what will happen once they enter other aspects of our lives we're usually even more emotionally attached to (e.g. TRAVEL via virtual reality holo-projections, virtual SEX which feels even better than the real thing, cloning/upgrading us or our LOVED ONES etc.)
In any case further technological advancement is inevitable and it has surely revolutionized our lives in many positive aspects. Whatever is about to happen next, try to make technology work for you, not the other way around. Remember that you're not BORG, you don't need to lower your shields and surrender - resistance is NOT futile! No need to mindlessly bite the apple if you don't want to.
Think about it...
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