With Bill Joy’s profession and background, it doesn’t surprise me to know that he has been aware of the possibility that artificial intelligence would surpass human beings in the future. After reading his article however, a number of sci-fi movies came to mind because of the similar themes he discussed (i.e. The Matrix, Bladerunner, A.I. “Artificial Intelligence”, I Robot, Gattaca and 12 Monkeys, Terminator), because that’s what it sounded like, scifi. In a way, I don’t blame him. There is already clear evidence that we’ve began relying on technology. At this time we’ve grown dependent on mobile phones, apps, email and social network for boosted human interaction. We’ve also developed new technologies in other fields (i.e. military, security, medical) that are beneficial to the survival of the human race. But do I agree with Joy’s notion that after time, our dependency, developing efficient technologies and eventually artificial intelligence, all because we want to better our lives— will make human beings obsolete? Or “drift to the mercy of the machines” as he puts it. Will we fall victim to technology and that would be the end?
No. Not really. I’m not worried at all because of the following reasons.
1) We’re humans— we makes mistakes, we find solutions and we learn:
The first biggest human tragedy ever recorded was perhaps the bubonic plague. No one knew where it came from until it was concluded that the rodents (along with the fleas it carried) from trading ships were responsible. When that was discovered, people knew what to do and got rid of the problem. When conquering empires cultivated growing cities (i.e. Roman Era and or Paris in 1200), they were faced with diseases and over crowding. Governments came together along with their city engineers and fixed the problem by improving their sanitary system. In modern times however, I do know people can make wise decisions or choices. They have the ability to use or not to partake in becoming overly connected (i.e. cell phones, email, social network). We’ve always had problems, but we’ve always managed to get through them and find solutions.
2) Humans have souls— that no matter what artificial technology might take over, it will never posses the human spirit:
And if there comes a time where machines will take over human life, I’m sure as part of the human spirit, (not to sound like The Matrix and Terminator) humans will remain defiant and rebel against them. Standing up for yourself against any form of oppression has always been a human characteristic. This is evident in all human societies (i.e. French Revolution, American Revolution, Civil Rights Movements, and most recent revolutions in the Middle East). We’ve always had the ability to react and fight for what’s right in the end. Another aspect of the human soul is artistic talent. A machine can be used to enhance a person’s creation but a machine or a robot can not and is not— able to create beautiful art or compose music. They do not posses that human element of emotion, of being inspired or be inspiring when it comes to artistic expression.
3) Artificial Intelligence and technology, no matter how complex they maybe, they are man made therefore— they would look to humans as gods:
The question that Joy really wants to find out is who is in control? Can humans live a balanced coexistence with technology? Machines and technologies are man made, therefore we have the full ability and capability in shutting them down or improving them. Our lives with technology has always been a symbiotic experience. In other words we program their main purpose to make our lives easier and technology needs us to dictate their function or purpose.
In conclusion, Bill Joy may not be too far off in his views of humans relying too much in technology. Technology has inserted itself into our social norm. But I don’t believe that the future of obsolete human race will be as bad what he mentions. Artificial intelligence and technology maybe taking over our future, but I believe that we as humans aren’t that stupid enough to give such entities total control. I believe we have the ability to come up with enough solutions, checks and balances that would normalize or prevent that sort of take over. For the notion Joy writes of the possibilities of living longer because the use of technology, true, we’ve made technology to help our lives. But in the end no one really wants to live forever and there is no program or code that would prevent a person from having a fatal accident (but that’s another topic). Our lives will not become a science fiction movie because in reality, human beings have the ability to adapt, control, find balance and posses a soul that no artificial technology can ever have. And the future does need humans. Without us, technology will not exist.
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