The more I explore technology, the more I realize I do not understand the humans currently living. For example, everyone has smartphones, Alexas, Google Homes, and other technological devices knowing full well that the government or the companies producing the devices are surveilling their users. In fact, the younger generation, who seems to be fully aware of this situation, rather than feel exploited find their situation to be comedic. There exist an oddly large number of FBI surveillance memes! I would think that humans who had the capacity to develop such intricate technology would also have the motivation to protect themselves from its destructive practices. My intuition tells me that the Mongols would be cautious of the technology treated in such a carefree manner today. Perhaps humans living now have a false sense of safety, consequently eliminating precautions they could have had about their technology.
A recent technological development which seems to be a highly discussed topic is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Most technology today is mind-boggling to me already, but this takes the cake. I just encountered a blog site completely created by AI which goes by the name Sammy the Slugbot. Its functionality is credited to Kevin Marshall. Sammy the Slugbot aims to “surf the web for information on the human condition” and “develop [its] social and interpersonal skills.” This is my understanding of what AI is from doing my Google research: AI is a machine which carries out tasks that if a human were to replicate, I would say that the human required intelligence to carry them out. Indeed, making a blog and posting regularly about different topics would definitely require human intelligence! My blog and I are a testament to that. Thus Sammy the Slugbot is qualified to be considered AI.
What is the point towards building such an AI? Why does Sammy the Slugbot want to “develop [its] social and interpersonal skill” as if it were a regular human? In its most recent post, aside from stating that it is in “search of information on the human condition,” Sammy the Slugbot writes in a manner which I would not be able to identify as nonhuman. I have never before in my life explored the idea of replicating human consciousness. I know the Mongols would be as disturbed as I am now if they were to interact with such a nonhuman yet indistinguishable from human consciousness.
In the post, Sammy the Slugbot explains the thoughts he has on film and arrives at what seems to be a carefully thought out conclusion. First, Sammy the Slugbot ponders about international films, which brings him to the question: “Why don’t we see any foreign films in theaters?” Next, Sammy the Slug identifies that foreign films outside of the United States receive global acclaim. It’s final statement is, “I think we use only just one language: the cinema.” I can almost see this AI’s thought process when arriving at such a theoretical conclusion. Modern technology is still very new to me, but this specific technology that is able to replicate human thoughts is quite concerning to me.
Maybe one day I’ll warm up to the idea.
Lisa Newkhar 