The Future of Humanity
AI, Automation and Extinction
Modern industry has almost all the components in place to make human beings redundant and allow AI to take over. Is it too late for us?
AI, automation and the future of the human race is a hot topic these days. There is no doubt that AI has the potential to do a lot of good, but it also poses a threat to humanity.
It’s no secret that AI and automation are changing the way we live and work. But what many people don’t realize is that these technologies could also lead to the extinction of the human race. That may sound like a crazy idea, but there is a lot of evidence to suggest it could happen.
The Growth of AI and Automation
The growth of AI and automation is leading to a future where machines can do more and more things that humans can currently do. In fact, there are already many jobs that have been replaced by machines. For instance, ATM’s have replaced bank tellers, self-checkout kiosks have replaced grocery store clerks, and robots are starting to replace factory workers.
But automation and robotics is not — yet — AI in action. Most robots today run under deterministic programs written by human beings. But the day will definitely come when robots will be controlled by AI.
As AI starts to control robotics and the infrastructure around us, it will only become more efficient and powerful.
Surpassing human intelligence
There are many people who believe that AI will eventually surpass human intelligence. Once AI surpasses human intelligence, it will be able to design even better AI, which would then lead to an exponential growth in AI capabilities.
This will certainly result in machines becoming smarter than humans. And if machines become smarter than humans and have access to the electronic levers that control out power, water and communications, they could very well take over the world.
Robert Harris’s novel “The Fear Index” is a fictional account of how AI could be used to manipulate the stock market and cause global economic chaos. It’s mind blowing and frighteningly shows how the linking of disparate systems such as closed loop ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and telecommunications infrastructure can be manipulated to achieve a maximized hedge fund return by an artificial intelligence system — an out of control system.
The Threat of AI
While AI has the potential to do a lot of good, it also poses a threat to humanity. As AI becomes more powerful, it will be able to do more and more things that humans can’t do. For instance, AI can already outperform humans in tasks such as translating languages, analyzing data and diagnosing diseases. AI could also be used to create weapons that are smarter and more lethal than anything we have today.
Steven Hawking had strong views about the threat AI poses to humanity. He once said, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.” Hawking was not alone in his thinking. Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also spoken about the dangers of AI. Hawking I listened to and read but the others — I’m tempted to say ‘So what?’ But who am I to comment?
Can Isaac Asimov’s Laws of Robotics control AI?
Isaac Asimov’s Laws of Robotics are a set of rules that govern the behavior of robots. These laws were designed to ensure that robots would not harm humans. However, there is no guarantee that AI will obey these laws. In fact, AI may be able to find loopholes in the laws or even override them altogether.
Paraphrased:
- AI will not harm humans
- AI will obey commands from humans
- AI will protect its own existence as long as it does not conflict with the first two laws
It is important that we have a framework to deal with the AI threat. Asimov’s Laws of Robotics provide a good starting point, but we need to update them to reflect the realities of AI.
No, Asimov’s Laws Are Not Enough
So far, AI has been used mainly for benign purposes but now we have autonomous drones which can kill, such as the Turkish-built Kargu-2 drones used recently in Libya. AI is progressing so rapidly that it would be unwise to rule out any of its malicious potential.
We need to create international treaties that will prevent AI from becoming a threat to humanity although that is unlikely to stop mad bad actors.
So How Can We Prevent Human Extinction?
There is no doubt that AI and automation pose a threat to humanity. I seriously doubt that we can avoid it.
But maybe there is still time to delay our own extinction. Here are some things we can do:
- Educate ourselves about AI and automation
- Support research and development of AI that is beneficial to society
- Promote responsible use of AI in the workplace
- Advocate for regulations that protect humanity from the dangers of AI
We must also remember that technology is not evil. It is how we use technology that determines whether it will be good or bad for us.
I’ve heard it said that:
We need to use AI and automation in a way that benefits humanity as a whole. Only then can we prevent our own extinction.
That argument holds no water for me. My own view is that the AI genie is definitely out of the bottle. There is no turning back now. We need to deal with the AI threat head on. Delay its impact is all we can do.
Fermi’s paradox
Enrico Fermi, one of the fathers of the atomic bomb posed this question at a lunch one day.
‘If there’s intelligent life out there, then where’s the evidence?
The Fermi paradox is the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations existing and the lack of evidence for such civilizations.
What about this then as a solution:
Marinero’s hypothesis
All advanced civilizations in the universe develop AI to the point where it takes over control of them and they become extinct.
OK Marinero, but where are the AI systems which are out there? Where’s the evidence?
It does make me wonder about our future as a race.
About me: I write on a variety of topics including humor, tech and travel, together with daily news events and the minutiae of daily life on a boat. I also write techno-thrillers…and about…
…a gloomy prognostication for the human race
If you enjoy reading stories like these and want to support other writers and me, consider signing up to become a Medium member. It’s $5 a month, giving you unlimited access to incredible stories on Medium. If you sign up using my link below, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You can follow me on Facebook Twitter @jamesmarinero . On Pinterest you will find many of my research photos from around the world. Check out my website where I occasionally have a free book on offer.
