state in which a human population can survive indefinitely

What is the future of humans in an age of accelerating technological change? The systems underpinning today’s global financial markets, businesses, militaries, police forces, and medical, energy and industrial operations are all dependent upon networked AI of one type or another. Today’s smart, networked, software-equipped devices, cars, digital assistants and platforms, such as Google search and Facebook social mapping, accomplish extremely complex tasks. Today, these tools are quickly evolving to master human traits such as reason, logic, learning, task-performance and creativity. For years, code-based tools in robots and other systems have performed repetitive tasks like factory-floor assembly activities.

They are, however, continually becoming more powerful thanks to developments in machine learning and natural language processing and advances in materials science, networking, energy-storage and hardware capabilities.ĪNI is machine intelligence that equals or exceeds people’s abilities or efficiency at a specific task. Today’s ever-advancing artificial narrow intelligence (ANI) tools – for instance, search engines and digital “agents” such as Siri, Alexa and Cortana – are not close to reaching the goal of human-like artificial general intelligence (AGI). The use of AI reduces individuals’ control over their livesĪutonomous systems can reduce or eliminate the need for human involvement in some tasks. The sections of this chapter will cover experts’ answers tied to these themes. A few also worried about the wholesale destruction of humanity. The five most-often mentioned concerns were: 1) the use of AI reduces individuals’ control over their lives 2) surveillance and data systems designed primarily for efficiency, profit and control are inherently dangerous 3) displacement of human jobs by AI will widen economic and digital divides, possibly leading to social upheaval 4) individuals’ cognitive, social and survival skills will be diminished as they become dependent on AI and 5) citizens will face increased vulnerabilities, such as exposure to cybercrime and cyberwarfare that spin out of control and the possibility that essential organizations are endangered by weaponized information. A clear majority of the responses from these experts contained material outlining certain challenges, fears or concerns about the AI-infused future.

State in which a human population can survive indefinitely