Does AI Pose Dangers To Humanity?

John McCarthy, known as the 'father of artificial intelligence' coined the term "artificial intelligence" in the 1950s. Artificial intelligence is a field, which combines computer science and robust datasets, to enable problem-solving. It also encompasses sub-fields of machine learning and deep learning, which are frequently mentioned in conjunction with artificial intelligence. The goal of Al is to provide software that can reason on input and explain on output. Al will provide human-like interactions with software and offer decision support for specific tasks, but it's not a replacement for humans - and won't be anytime soon. Al is approaching a rough parity with human intelligence and therein lies the dangers it pose to humanity. Al is definitely something to keep an eye on, and we should be asking important questions. But James Rickards says, we shouldn't worry about it taking over the world anytime soon.

- James Rickards

Artificial intelligence (AI) is all the rage these days. You can’t read headlines or turn on the news without hearing about how machines with vast computing power, access to billions of books and documents, the ability to teach themselves and blinding processing speeds are now poised to take over the world. Elon Musk also didn’t have an optimistic take.

I’ve been studying AI and its potential for years. I recently spent a couple of days visiting with the world’s third-fastest non-government supercomputer as part of a project to apply generalized superintelligence and AI to national security tasks. How advanced is AI getting? How close is it to approaching a rough parity with human intelligence? And what dangers does it pose to humanity?

We Can Just Pull the Plug — for Now at Least

Experimenters now envision machines taking on a life of their own and attacking humans and civilization. But it’s important to remember that if the machine goes berserk, you can just pull the plug. Apologists for AI capacity claim that pulling the plug won’t work because the AI will anticipate that strategy and “export” itself to another machine in a catch-me-if-you-can scenario where disabling one location won’t stop the code and algorithms from popping up elsewhere and continuing to attack. Maybe.

But there are all kinds of logistical problems with this, including the availability of enough machines with the processing power needed, the fact that alternate machines are likely to be surrounded by firewalls and digital moats and a host of configuration and interoperability issues.