February 12, 2010
Relax! Robots Won't be Taking Over the World
Researcher says machines can't think like humans nor can
they ever get human-like emotions.
Relax! Robots Won't be Taking Over the World
Researcher says machines can't think like humans nor can
they ever get human-like emotions.
SUMMARY: With continuous progress being made in developing faster and
faster computers, some researchers and science fiction writers are envisioning
a future where superintelligent machines with consciousness have taken over
the world. But such predictions are just "fairy tales" according to a leading AI
(Artificial Intelligence) researcher, Noel Sharkey, professor of Artificial
Intelligence and Robotics at the U. of Sheffield.
Sharkey says there is no evidence that our own intelligence is related to the
way computers work or that machines can ever gain conscious self-awareness.
When he says things like this around other people though, they can become
"almost religious" in their anti-religious reactions, he maintains, accusing him of
therefore claiming that the mind must work in "supernatural ways." However,
Sharkey doesn't claim to be religious himself.
While the brain is a physical system, Sharkey contends “it could be a physical
system that cannot be recreated by a computer”. What about chess-playing
computers that can beat the world's top human chess players? That is
possible not because of computer intelligence but rather the sheer "brute
force" of calculations.
Some notable AI achievements use "trick and illusion" to make the machines
appear almost alive. Talking computers rely on databases to find appropriate
sentences, or machines are programmed to recognize emotions and then
respond by manipulating their silicon faces to show empathy. He goes on to
say, “If AI workers would accept the trickster role and be honest about it, we
might progress a lot quicker.”
Sharkey believes there is a desire in people to see machines as becoming
potentially like animals and humans, leading to a "willing suspension of
disbelief" even among fellow researchers in the field. Such a fantasy-led drive
could lead to a dystopian world where, for instance, emotionless robots could
be used to care for the elderly who really need the "love and human contact"
only real people can provide.
(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)
To read the entire article, click on this link to CREATION MINISTRIES
INTERNATIONAL
COMMENT: Once again we see an example of how difficult it is for secularists
to want to admit the existence of a Creator. All the plethora of examples of
intelligent design are cast off with the explanation that the creatures in question
only "appear to be designed." The failure yet to explain how living matter could
have come into existence in the first place is ignored or countered with the
false assertion that scientists are close to creating life from non-life in a
laboratory. Now even the least little hint that human intelligence might have a
supernatural origin is apparently being met by nothing more substantial than
plain old anger.
I'm sure Professor Sharkey would agree that no machine could ever become
smarter than its inventor. In the same way we creatures would be well advised
not to think we are or can become as wise as our Creator. God has given to
humans an intelligence that surpasses that of any other creature or any man-
made invention. Yet, our minds cannot comprehend God's wisdom. "Oh, the
depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable
his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33 NIV)
True intelligence begins with the wisdom found in the Word of God. Let us
agree that we like all people are sinners in need of salvation. Let us rejoice
that God has told us the way to heaven, namely by repenting of our sins and
believing in Jesus as our Savior. "From infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15)
****************************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
****************************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What is the largest number of U.S. presidents and ex-presidents to
be alive at the same time?
****************************************************************************************************
faster computers, some researchers and science fiction writers are envisioning
a future where superintelligent machines with consciousness have taken over
the world. But such predictions are just "fairy tales" according to a leading AI
(Artificial Intelligence) researcher, Noel Sharkey, professor of Artificial
Intelligence and Robotics at the U. of Sheffield.
Sharkey says there is no evidence that our own intelligence is related to the
way computers work or that machines can ever gain conscious self-awareness.
When he says things like this around other people though, they can become
"almost religious" in their anti-religious reactions, he maintains, accusing him of
therefore claiming that the mind must work in "supernatural ways." However,
Sharkey doesn't claim to be religious himself.
While the brain is a physical system, Sharkey contends “it could be a physical
system that cannot be recreated by a computer”. What about chess-playing
computers that can beat the world's top human chess players? That is
possible not because of computer intelligence but rather the sheer "brute
force" of calculations.
Some notable AI achievements use "trick and illusion" to make the machines
appear almost alive. Talking computers rely on databases to find appropriate
sentences, or machines are programmed to recognize emotions and then
respond by manipulating their silicon faces to show empathy. He goes on to
say, “If AI workers would accept the trickster role and be honest about it, we
might progress a lot quicker.”
Sharkey believes there is a desire in people to see machines as becoming
potentially like animals and humans, leading to a "willing suspension of
disbelief" even among fellow researchers in the field. Such a fantasy-led drive
could lead to a dystopian world where, for instance, emotionless robots could
be used to care for the elderly who really need the "love and human contact"
only real people can provide.
(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)
To read the entire article, click on this link to CREATION MINISTRIES
INTERNATIONAL
COMMENT: Once again we see an example of how difficult it is for secularists
to want to admit the existence of a Creator. All the plethora of examples of
intelligent design are cast off with the explanation that the creatures in question
only "appear to be designed." The failure yet to explain how living matter could
have come into existence in the first place is ignored or countered with the
false assertion that scientists are close to creating life from non-life in a
laboratory. Now even the least little hint that human intelligence might have a
supernatural origin is apparently being met by nothing more substantial than
plain old anger.
I'm sure Professor Sharkey would agree that no machine could ever become
smarter than its inventor. In the same way we creatures would be well advised
not to think we are or can become as wise as our Creator. God has given to
humans an intelligence that surpasses that of any other creature or any man-
made invention. Yet, our minds cannot comprehend God's wisdom. "Oh, the
depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable
his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33 NIV)
True intelligence begins with the wisdom found in the Word of God. Let us
agree that we like all people are sinners in need of salvation. Let us rejoice
that God has told us the way to heaven, namely by repenting of our sins and
believing in Jesus as our Savior. "From infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ
Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:15)
****************************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
****************************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What is the largest number of U.S. presidents and ex-presidents to
be alive at the same time?
****************************************************************************************************
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| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
Six. It has happened three times, the most
recent occurring during the period between
George W. Bush's swearing in and the death
of Ronald Reagan.
Source: Parade (1/31/10)
recent occurring during the period between
George W. Bush's swearing in and the death
of Ronald Reagan.
Source: Parade (1/31/10)
