In this blog post, we will explore in depth whether the explosive development of artificial intelligence will bring about a utopia for humanity or the end of the world.
In the movie Avengers: Age of Ultron (released in 2015), the main character Tony Stark develops artificial intelligence to protect Earth from aliens. However, the artificial intelligence Ultron decides that humanity must be destroyed in order to protect Earth, and attacks humanity. The idea that artificial intelligence could attack humanity is not just a figment of the imagination of movie writers. It is a topic that has been discussed by experts for a long time. In December 2014, Stephen Hawking warned on the BBC that artificial intelligence could lead to the destruction of humanity. Of course, not all experts believe that AI (artificial intelligence) will lead to the end of humanity, but it is necessary to examine the possibility and how to deal with it.
The concept of artificial intelligence first appeared in 1956 at a workshop organized by computer scientist John McCarthy called the Dartmouth Summer Research Project. Since then, engineers have been trying to create artificial intelligence with intelligence equal to or better than that of humans. Although the level of artificial intelligence is still in its infancy compared to humans, it is developing rapidly. Currently developed AI is already being used in various fields. For example, AI acts as an automatic translator on Naver, South Korea’s leading search engine. AI technology is also hidden behind voice recognition technology. In early 2016, the entire nation witnessed AlphaGo, an AI that plays the game of Go.
The limitations of current AI are as follows. First, AI is currently only used in specific areas. In other words, it is not versatile. Once the role of AI is determined, it cannot perform tasks outside of that role. For example, AlphaGo is an AI designed to play Go, so it cannot perform the role of a translation tool. Second, AI is subordinate to humanity. All AI is subservient to humans and has no autonomy.
However, overcoming these limitations is a matter of time, not a matter of possibility. Ten years after the release of the iPhone in 2007, smartphones are now widely used by almost all South Koreans, and AI is also expected to develop rapidly. According to Nick Bostrom, director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University, the intellectual level of AI will reach 50 percent of humanity in all areas by 2040 to 2050, and 90 percent by 2075. The neurons that make up the human brain can send information 200 times per second, while modern computers can send gigabytes at a time. In addition, neurons send information at a speed of 100 meters per second, while computers send information at the speed of light. In other words, mathematically speaking, AI has unlimited potential compared to humans.
With such unlimited potential, AI will become independent from humanity. In this case, there is a possibility that humanity will become bound by AI. Sam Harris, a prominent American debater and neuroscientist, emphasized that such a development is inevitable. At that point, an “intelligence explosion” will occur. An intelligence explosion is the moment when AI surpasses human intelligence and creates a species superior to humans. In other words, AI that is smarter than humans will develop on its own and escape human control. Therefore, the prediction made by some experts that humanity will face destruction is somewhat convincing. On the other hand, other experts argue that an intelligence explosion is the final stage of achieving utopia.
The reason for these conflicting claims is that people have different ideas about the purpose of AI. Experts who take a negative view of AI believe that humans will set the purpose of AI in a way that is harmful to humanity. However, experts with a positive outlook believe that the purpose of AI will be defined in a way that contributes to the prosperity of humanity. In other words, the future of humanity will be determined by how we define the purpose of AI. It is important to note that we should not pursue short-sighted goals like Midas, but rather, the initial values of AI after the intelligence explosion should be defined as universal values that all of humanity should pursue or as means to enable all of humanity to prosper without discrimination.
What should be set as the initial value for AI is still an unresolved issue. However, this must be discussed continuously. If the intelligence explosion and this issue are not resolved at the same time, it will lead to irreversible consequences. Currently, our society considers this issue to be something that only happens in movies, and the reality is that we are unable to have serious discussions about it.
Even before AI, humanity has developed technology that could have ended human history. That technology is nuclear weapons. When nuclear weapons were first created, physicist Albert Einstein predicted that they would be humanity’s last invention. He warned of the dangers of nuclear weapons, saying that they would make it impossible for humanity to survive on Earth. However, despite the invention of such dangerous weapons, humanity continues to thrive on Earth. Nuclear weapons have not been used since the 1950s. In addition, the technology used to create nuclear weapons has been used to create nuclear power plants, which are an alternative energy source to oil. Similarly, in order to prepare for the intelligence explosion in the future, we can learn from the past by controlling and managing nuclear weapons. There was an international agreement on nuclear weapons. In other words, almost all countries cooperated and discussed ways to save humanity from the dangers of nuclear weapons and sought progressive solutions. As with nuclear weapons, collaboration through the formation of international organizations is necessary to prepare for the intelligence explosion.
In addition, in order to prepare for the post-intelligence explosion era, it is necessary to consider what the universal values of humanity are. The development of AI requires not only engineering calculations but also a background in the humanities. In other words, it is necessary to engage in philosophical inquiry about humanity and the meaning of human existence. Only when such considerations are made will engineers need time and education to develop not only engineering knowledge but also a background in the humanities. In addition, for the sake of future engineers, universities need to offer humanities courses to engineering students, and engineering students need to develop a mindset that values the humanities.
Artificial intelligence, which is more intelligent than humans, will be humanity’s final invention. If the initial settings are correct, it will do the dirty work for humanity after the intelligence explosion and usher in a utopia. Furthermore, advanced AI will create inventions beyond the scope of human imagination. If the initial settings are incorrect, AI will target humanity. In this case, AI with superior intelligence could wipe out humanity. Whether the last invention will end or prosper the future of humanity is ultimately in our hands.
