How Can Artifficial Intelligent Enhance Life in the 21st Century - Coursework Example

Running Head: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial Intelligence of the of the Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence -- Develop computers that simulate human learning and reasoning ability. Computers are programmed and humans learn with experience, but what if computers were programmed to learn, how would these "thinking machines" differ from humans? How these machines work must be looked at first in order to understand the difference between machines and humans. Throughout its history, artificial intelligence has always been a topic with much controversy. (Clark, pg2, 2004) Should human intelligence be mimicked? If so, are there ethical bounds on what computers should be programmed to do? These are a couple of question that surround the artificial intelligence controversy. This paper will discuss the pros and cons of artificial intelligence so that one will be able to make an educated decision on the issue, and how to resolve these problems. The first step in getting anywhere with this debate must begin with defining what artificial intelligence is exactly. Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, is the area of computer science focusing on creating machines that can engage in the human behaviors of intelligence.(Forest, pg24, 2004) AI brings benefits mainly to two groups of people: the general community, and researchers in various scientific and engineering fields. This section will discuss the pros of AI, now and in the future. An advantageous use of Artificial Intelligence is area of robotics. Humans will be able to use robots for heavy construction, military benefits, or even for personal assistance at private homes. One example of a home benefit would be iRobots Roomba. The Roomba is essentially an intelligent vacuum, or robot. (Georges, pg51, 2003) This vacuum has a sensor on it so that is doesnt tumble down stairs. It will detect the dirt on your floor whether it be carpet, wood, or linoleum. The best part about this robot is that it can tell when it is running low on battery life and it will return to the docking station and charge itself. With the Roomba, you will never have to vacuum your house again. With technology like this there will be less injuries and stress to human beings. The automobile industry has seen the effects of AI over the years. Car manufacturing is now preformed by robots rather than people, automobiles are now made cheaper, faster, and safer than ever. Jobs have moved from a large concentration in the assembly line to actually maintaining, building, and programming robots. (Glick, pg112, 2005) With the introduction of complex medical expert systems, it is becoming increasingly likely that in the future we will be able to predict what diseases people may have or may be at risk from later in life. Many of our health problems now have possible solutions with the use of Artificial Intelligence in studies at universities, hospitals, and research groups. For example, Artificial Intelligence has made the implant of artificial corneas into the eyes of blind people enabling them to see. AI is also used in the area of speech recognition. (Perkowitz, pg89, 2004) Computers now understand human’s speech by using human speech recognition programs. This allows users to work on computers by talking to them. This enables computers to be used by the disabled. AI opens up new and exciting possibilities for the entertainment industry. We now have artificial thinking games such as the Deep Blue (a computer chess game), which analyzes twenty million possible moves per second. AI also makes interactive electronic games more fun by making the computer controlled characters more realistic and human-like. AI in virtual reality enhances the experience of immersing oneself in a simulated gameworld, taking us one step closer towards achieving the holodeck experience (or virtual reality) as seen in the popular science-fiction television show Star Trek. The future benefits that AI will bring look optimistic. Already, AI is being deployed in space exploration missions to planets like Mars. These missions are dangerous and not fit for humans, but fortunately for AI controlled robots, the situation is not as bleak. AI will arguably have a big part to play in future space explorations. Another future application of AI is in the advancement in education. Researchers are developing new techniques in the field of intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs). ITSs will offer considerable flexibility in presentation of material and a greater ability to respond to student needs. Consequences of Artificial Intelligence and Solutions Every controversial issue has its downside. Some of the cons of AI include: Cost Loss of jobs Losing social life Ethical Issues Fear Cost Perhaps the single most obvious con is the amount of funding that has gone into AI research. Federal funding is critical because it can sustain long-term high-risk research and provide a collection of technical and human resources. The big question is whether such funding is justifiable. In a world where poverty, disease, and hunger still plague the less fortunate, wouldnt the billions of dollars be better spent aiding those in need? Why should we worry about the possibility of artificial life when we still havent conquered our more immediate problems? This problem can be solved by involving latest and cheaper technology and concentrating more on this problem rather than reducing the man power in industries. However, funding is the smallest problem of AI.( Menzies, pg 20, 2003) Losing Jobs in the Industry Many people fear that adding AI to industries will mean a decrease in jobs, which it will. Many fields will feel the effect of AI, if not today, in the near future. Assembly lines that once contained humans, now contain robots. Check-out clerks at stores are gradually being replaced with self check-out machines. Bank tellers arent used as often because of the ease of automated teller machine (ATM) banking. In fact, some banks charge a fee if you use their tellers for transactions that can be made at an ATM. In the previous section, it was stated that AI could be used in Intelligent Tutoring Machines. The other side is that human teachers could potentially lose their jobs. Some people might also argue that by having machines which think for themselves, we will no longer need to think for ourselves. So rather than improving ourselves, we instead take a step backwards. This problem can be solved if industrialists invest the money they save using artificial intelligence, by opening more industries and employing those people who lost their jobs because of new technology. Entertainment: The Loss of a Social Life Many people may prefer the virtual to the real world; this means people will become more self-absorbed and less willing to get out and about. Some parents and communities are also concerned about the current state of their children and their obsession with electronic games. Not surprisingly, the fear is that a complete AI-controlled virtual world, which is indistinguishable from reality, will put an end to all social life as we know it. This problem can be solved if parents involve their children in live sports since early years of a child’s life and tell them about the advantages of physical activity. Ethical Problems In the future, AI machines may have the ability to reason on a level that can match the human brain; are we then to consider them conscious? The difference between human beings and robots will disappear. This goes to the very heart of what makes us human and raises some very ethical and moral issues about the meaning of humanity. AI has been controversial because it challenges the uniqueness of human thought. Suppose a machine does something wrong or chooses an inappropriate route, which then leads to loss of life; who should be held responsible? We cannot punish the machine itself (or can we?), so should we blame the programmers, the experts, the people who decided to put the system together in the first place? But if we do, then are we not denying AI machines their right as individuals? Media can play its role by encouraging people to interact with each other and people should be encouraged to live like communities or small group of people so they will get a chance to share their problems with each other. Fear A substantial portion of the Artificial Intelligence funding comes from military resources (DARPA - Defense Advanced Research Projects) ;therefore, it is likely that some of its applications will be for military use. Because history has shown that the military has a tendency to use scientific progress to further the ability to destroy one another, the possibility of misapplication is great. For example, the discovery of quantum mechanics led to the development of atomic weapons. This should be states responsibility to make sure that artificial intelligence is being used in right direction and should not be used negatively. The main problem with AI is the fear that if given too much power, AI may turn against its creators - us. This is the view of AI as a danger, a threat, and part of this paranoia stems from science fiction films which depict AI robots as the enemy. Conclusion Eventually our world as we know it will be taken over by robots with artificial intelligence. Contrary to popular belief, this will not "eventually" happen; it already has. Inventions throughout our history have supposedly helped us out quite a bit, but while these inventions are helping us they are also hurting us. A major example of this is the television which affects everything from fashion trends to politics; as a matter of fact, politics is close to, if not the most affected by the invention of the television and other forms of media. This whole thing could have many implications, as this will allow machines to learn faster than human, thus one day becoming more powerful than human beings. Humans could never challenge the potential of learning to a machine as there is a limit to what extent of knowledge a human brain could attain at one time. The fact that they can transfer data quickly will allow them to send each other important information which could include how to do certain tasks or maybe even things that could greatly affect us. Information is the most powerful information of all, and the fact that machines can transfer data at a higher speed could become the most powerful weapon for machines. If machines are given strong artificial intelligence and if they somehow become self-aware of their own protection; than there is a larger possibility that they enslave human beings or completely wipe them out as a regard of their own safety. Artificial intelligence is a computer possesses to learn and apply that. Suppose if that data is some kind of language than that machine with artificial intelligence can immediately learn it and apply it. To get logical reasoning, strong artificial intelligence is put in the machine. Strong AI is the claim that some weird forms of artificial intelligence that can truly reason and solve problems. This gives the machine the ability to understand data or whatever form of knowledge in cognitive stages. Strong AI states that it is possible for machines to become sapient, or self-aware. In the movie Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Sky net, a U.S defense organization created highly equipped machines with strong artificial intelligence to protect their country from foreign forces. Every machine was programmed to protect themselves from the enemy. However, every machine had strong artificial intelligence, their knowledge somehow evolved and started to think the whole human race as its enemy and so every machine that sky net created started to annihilate every human they saw. Now technology comes at a price and like anything else, too much of a good thing may have negative effects. Artificial intelligence is just the same; it can be good, in moderation. If industry begins using AI for everything, there will not be any room for human jobs. Therefore, it is ones responsibility to harness it wisely for our benefit. AI can assist us in our daily lives and be used to save lives, as long as fear doesnt get the best of us. After reading the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, one can make their own decision about it, and decide whether it is good or bad and how to combat with artificial intelligence draw backs. References Clark, Andy. Natural-Born Cyborgs: Minds, Technologies, and the Future of Human Intelligence. Oxford University Press, 2004. Forest, Ann. God in the Machine: What Robots Teach Us About Humanity and God. Dutton Adult, 2004. Georges, Thomas M.. Digital Soul Intelligent Machines and Human Values. Colorado: Westview Press, 2003 Glick, Jonathan. AI Magazine. "A.I In the News". vol. 25 issue 4. pg. 112.2005 Menzies, T. (2003). 21st-century AI: proud, not smug. IEEE Intelligent Systems 1094-7167, 18-24. Perkowitz, Sidney. Digital people: from bionic humans to androids. National Academy Press, 2004. Read More