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Article 1801 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: fofp@castle.ed.ac.uk (M Holmes)
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: AI as the Next Stage in Evolution
Message-ID: <15482@castle.ed.ac.uk>
Date: 2 Dec 91 16:25:10 GMT
References: <YAMAUCHI.91Nov27024148@indigo.cs.rochester.edu> <2621@richsun.cpg.trs.reuter.com>
Organization: Edinburgh University
Lines: 28

jerry@cpg.trs.reuter.com (Jerry Marco) writes:

>I submit that the true danger is not in machine superiority per se,
>but in machines' belief in their own superiority.  If machines are
>truly superior, and therefore wield power over us, and if they
>believe themselves to be superior, would they not attempt to replace
>us, as we have attempted to replace other biological creatures?
>And even if this attempt were unsuccessful, would it not still
>be as disastrous for us as some of our attempts have been upon
>other individuals and species?

We, as the creators of this new machine race might be one of the most
fascinating things for them to investigate. I'm assuming curiousity of
course, but then there are a lot of assumptions being made already - one
more won't hurt. They might take our toys away in case we hurt
ourselves. They might also run the economy etc sensibly so that we can
spend time doing what humans naturally do when they don't have to worry
about running the world. It'd be nice to be fed, protected and kept
amused simply so that they could study us. 

My favourite quote from Marvin Minsky (from 1966 when he was perhaps
roguishly winding up the opposition?) :

"..... perhaps they'll keep us on as pets."

>Oak Brook, IL  60521  USA

FoFP


