Artificial Intelligence - Technology Out of Control?

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I find technology fascinating and I'm amazed when I look back over my life at how different things are today from when I was a child.

It's technology after all that allows me to write this in Australia and within seconds after pushing the 'Publish' button, you have access to these words no matter where in the world you are. Just thinking about what has to happen to make this possible is truly mind boggling.

Heck without technology being where it is today, none of us would be able to pursue online affiliate marketing businesses, so we should all be very grateful for the opportunities it has created for us.

It's also advances in technology that allows this wonderful WA platform to develop and improve as it does under the careful watch of Kyle and Carson.

But what about the other side of technology?


Technology is Neither Good Nor Bad

Technology is neither good not bad, it depends on what it's used for that makes it so, and as with anything there are always two sides to every coin.

This weekend I watched an interesting documentary called 'Do you Trust This Computer' which coincides with the 50th anniversary of "2001, A Space Odyssey", a SciFi movie in which the AI (Artificial Intelligence) goes wrong and kills the crew.

At the time the makers of the film imagined technologies which now according to some are set to come true unless we put strict controls into place.

One of those with a strong opinion about this is Elon Musk, TESLA and SpaceX founder.



In the documentary which is available to watch this weekend online (search for it if you're interested), he paints a grim picture of a possible future, one that many of us can't even begin to imagine.

He talks about an immortal robot-like dictator arising from Scientific research with the potential to take over the world unless strict regulations are put into place.

In the past we have been able to destroy human dictators but an artificial one would live forever. There would be no escape.

Musk has been warning against unregulated AI research projects for a few years now, warning that AI superiority at a national level could very well cause the start of World War 3.

In 2015 he joined the late Stephen Hawking, urging the United Nations to ban killer robots.

Interestingly enough, in view of Facebook's recent and ongoing data privacy issue, he
took the radical step of deleting the Facebook pages for Tesla Motors and SpaceX.

So what is one meant to make of all this?

I have no idea, but as citizens of a technologically advancing world and as online marketers and prolific users of technology, I believe we have a responsibility to stay informed and have a say about how we may be impacted in the future. More importantly we must stay focused on the good we can do with technology.

What are your thoughts?



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Recent Comments

40

A little scary.

Agreed Stanley but we're okay right now, but I'd like it to stay that way. :)

~Mark :)

SkyNet, anyone?

Absolutely Grant! :)

~Mark :)

Sure. Ethics, technology and commerce are intertwined. We can pretend they aren’t, but there isn’t a way to pull on the strands of one without affecting the others. And that may be felt for good or bad, across each domain.

...You are a Victorian-era factory, or a Utopian space colony waiting to happen, at the end of a logical line of events.

AI only learns within the parameters its creators set. However fast or large its data crunching, it still only has sown within its setup, within the language that codes it, the inherent limitations of its creators. They set the mandate.

Some of those limitations might be dangerous. And some may not be.

But whatever we make, and wherever we put it to work, it falls to us to use our imaginations and intellect in a rigorous way, that will help to write a script of possible outcomes. And those scenarios ought to consider all the ethical, commercial, and technical effects that go with these. Everything that might lift us up, or bite us in the behind.

Thanks Ivy. I enjoyed reading your response.

I especially agree with the line, 'AI only learns within the parameters its creators set'.

It is a huge responsibility we have to each other. I'm just not sure how cooperative our collective human intelligence is but I'm choosing to remain optimistic. Maybe I've seen too many Hollywood movies. :)

~Mark :)

Great post Mark.
And you are right about the technology development we are having these days. It evolves faster than we can imagine.
My opinion, I always see technology is the same as a knife or other things out there. It will benefit human being if used in right way but it is destroying if it is used the other way round.

Should we avoid technology advancement? I don't think we can. We do not have much option but as you said it keeps evolving, it's a matter of us knowing what is happening and make our choice.

Thank you for sharing it here.

:)
Joe

Thanks Joe.

Agree totally when you say "it's a matter of us knowing what is happening and make our choice."

It's challenging being across all that's going on out there but when something comes our way, I believe it's for a reason if only to be informed and ask questions.

~Mark :)

Agreed Mark - yes technology is a tool just like a pen, paper, mobile phone etc etc and it is down to the human using and/or creating with it to act responsibly, including those that create robots.

We need to remember that we ultimately have the power over our own world, I having recently been disgusted in the arrogant attitudes of facebook over the data privacy issue have gone off facebook - because I can choose to do so.

Great thought provoking article

Thanks Fleur. I have never been a great FB fan and even less so now for the same reasons.

I like your point about being able to choose whether to use something or not. Ultimately we all have the choice and power as long as we don't give it away. :)

~Mark :)

l completely agree with you we do need to stay informed and as it seems some people are trying to corrupt this world as well. Thank you so much for this very useful information

Thanks Melissa. Always good to be aware of what's going on or at least to question if it is.

~Mark :)

Yes it is

I agree with Steven-A and what he said We just need to stay focused on what we are doing now so we can build a future for ourselves and our families. If/When something comes along, then we can deal with it.
Marylou

Thanks Marylou. Focusing on what we want as opposed to what we don't is definitely the way.

~Mark :)

Apparently answers to these questions are becoming more urgently sought after and I wonder if the current attitudes I am seeing reflect more fear or apathy...
We are going to such lengths to welcome all change and diversity
as progress for mankind ...Are these concerns simply phantom or real in a question of our intentions for advancing ourselves beyond what we are able to control?

Though it appears there is a growing numbness to shocking
occurrences, perhaps reality is that we will respond to each contingency as unique and based upon our level of feeling threatened as it becomes evident

My guess is we are advancing in a manner that we have for centuries...trial and error.

Thank you for your thoughts here Mark

Respectfully, David

Thanks for adding to the conversation David. I'm always interested to read your thoughts too.

I agree that we are no doubt advancing as we have for centuries and maybe there is just as much hidden from us today as there always has been.

I am always mindful of the fact that I can only control my own thoughts, actions and words at the end of the day. :)

~Mark :)

Your last point,Mark,is close to my own and reduces the angst I may feel in watching others make poor choices.

However I am apprehensive about current ignorance in facing great change for mankind in our future...it appears we are aware some things will change drastically and yet countermeasures seem to go the way of "Let's wait and See".
I think it prudent to act now on the side of caution no matter the current burden it places on administrations

Totally agree with you. "Let's wait and see" could very end up as ''too late''. Some matters require a radically different approach to the trial and error model.

I think the only way technology or AI could takeover is if humankind allows it by being lazy and pushing that agenda to replace real with artificial. Also, I’m cool on Facebook and not so much because of the privacy stuff, but it’s just not appealing to me right now. I have been using other social media outlets and in the future maybe rethink Facebook.
Peace & blessings,
Marcus

Thanks for weighing in here about this Marcus. I agree with your thoughts and I'm confident that there are enough human beings in high places that will keep an eye on things, since I can't. :)

By the way what other social media platforms have you been using with success? I have never been a fan of FB so always eto hear what's working for others.

~Mark :)

remember this is the same guy that shot a 100k car into space. I love Elon but I don't think he's a prophet

Agreed Steven.

I'd listen to Richard Branson and Gates before Elon.

Yep.I tend to listen to everybody and still make my own mind up. Works for me.

Sounds good.
Have a great Sunday.
Steve

Thanks Steve. Hope yours was good.

Got some stuff done (non WA) and back in the saddle again....
Steve

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