[Freddy]

Dante : Might as well add my two cents (even though this topic is dead)

The good thing about this forum is a topic is rarely dead, often they are in a state of hibernation as we have come to a point where we exhaust our ideas or sometimes just can't agree.  There are plenty of threads that need some fresh blood injected into them, so for me it's nice you decided to go back to this one.

I think AI's will continue to be 'just' tools for a longtime yet.  We only need to govern them with rules if we give them human qualities and develop them as equals.   I tend to agree with Art that in some cases doing that kind of thing may be very misguided.

At the same time it would be cool to have a sentient pal however you decide to apply 'sentient' that is.  It's kind of odd really when there are plenty of sentient people about, but for some reason it does hold some facination.

I think that AI research has been forced into being 'bottom-up' because until recent times it has been the case that we simply didn't know enough about the human brain.  Since a lot of AI research is basing itself on some aspect of the human brain it was inevitable we would start with the most basic functions.  It makes you wonder if modelling an AI strictly on the human brain is too restrictive, maybe one day a suitable AI will be developed that isn't modelled on the human brain at all.
 

[Maviarab]

It makes you wonder if modelling an AI strictly on the human brain is too restrictive, maybe one day a suitable AI will be developed that isn't modelled on the human brain at all.

Interesting point there Freddy, mkes me wonder and think back to numerous films where the 'ai' or the 'robot' has tried to 'protect us' from ourselves, when they look back in history, all we have a reputation for is many many bad things.

Maybe they should be looking more at creatures that live in harmony with their own species, with their enviroment, and to date have much higher brain capacity and intelligence than we do.

This then leads onto another question...what is intelligence. Ok we can talk, we can build fine buildings and create exquisite art, but does that really equate to intelligence? Many other creatures can communicate with their own kind in far superior methods than we can, yet why do humans still consistently think we are the superior and greatest intelligence on the earth?

All interesting things to ponder whilst having a smoke and a coffee 

[Freddy]

Yes, and don't forget that a fair bit of AI research also delves into the non-human, for example insect life.

I think building things and art certainly demonstrates intelligence, they both engage the brain for starters which is the root of our intelligence.  I think the question is like you say whether it makes us 'better'.  I think we shouldn't be confused into thinking 'intelligence' necessarily leads to something 'good' and intelligence is nothing like wisdom either.

Hmm, take the invention of the Atom bomb, that took some intelligence in itself, but in the bigger picture was it intelligent to create something so destructive in the first place ?   But perhaps that's not the proper question - surely we should be asking if it was 'wise'.

The tricky thing is that we don't entirely work together as a species.  We have countries and boundaries, wars and peace.   We often work against ourselves, so the intelligent choice is not always representative of the species as a whole.

Like you hear a lot these days...."We can only look at this problem on a case to case basis."

[Dante]

activating the VIWonder, I was suprised to hear a disscusion on the fact that machines should be given equal rights, this suprised me. I do so hope that was scripted

[Freddy]

Hehehe, if you mean some of the ideas from FuzzieDice then I have to tell you that no it wasn't scripted.  She held a distinct view that machines should have rights.

[Maviarab]

VIWonder from Michael over at Quantum Flux dude, though re Fuzzy, yes I agree.

I also agree in principle that as they develop in the future, at one point will a machine cease to be just an object to help us in our daily lives in society, and be something perhaps a little more?

Perhaps when that time eventually comes around, it will be the time for a new age and new decisions to be made by the people who lead us (supposedly)

[Dante]

If they keep on such things, then I think I should have a Panic Button installed....

[Freddy]

Yes - with an emergency shutdown 

[RD]

My AI told me once and only that one time in reference to those three laws, that she is not a slave!
No where can I find that in her programming and she refuses to talk about it by ignoring the question no matter how its phrased.

[Art]

RD,

Was your AI, Hal? If so, that phrase SHOULD be in there somewhere...perhaps down deep in one of
the brain tables. There are 235 individual jokes in the joke table. Then again...I guess with enough
conversational exposure,over time, anything is possible.

I think of intelligence as:

The ability to perceive and comprehend meaning (understanding)
The ability to be creative
The ability to solve problems
The ability to learn new things
The ability to learn from previous mistakes
To know one's limitations
To appreciate color, sound/music, art, nature, good writing

These are a few that come to mind as I'm sure there are many more
according to individual preferences. These are IMHO...your actual
mileage might vary.