The Threat of Artificial Intelligence

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Father Joe

See the article in The Guardian entitled: Elon Musk: artificial intelligence is our biggest existential threat.

Samuel Gibbs writes: “Elon Musk has spoken out against artificial intelligence (AI), the second time in a month, declaring it the most serious threat to the survival of the human race.”

I am of the opinion that there will always be a serious chasm between human and mechanical intelligence, one of metaphysical dimensions. However, even a soulless intelligence could be both sophisticated and dangerous. Look at the complexity of ant and bee communities. It would also raise questions for humanity in regards to our mutable, vulnerable and finite existence in this world. A machine mind, like a sophisticated clock, might be maintained for centuries. By contrast, we are here today and gone tomorrow. Unbelievers will most probably suffer the worse existential angst of all. Instead of Pinocchio wanting to be a real boy, real boys might want to be Pinocchio… or at least his Terminator counterpart.