First off, some people never learn even after they graduate from college. Some kids are able to go to college level courses at the age of 12 (ie. "Gifted Kids"). We are supposing here that all bots will be created alike. A mistake I think, just as it was assumed every computer that was a "PC Compatible" was exactly alike, yet when bugs or errors occur, what worked on one did NOT work on another.
I was thinking about the "blank brain" thing too and how instinct in and of itself, what some may think is 'natural instinct' comes in. Humans behave a certain way, and that is not how cats behave, which behave differently from dogs, for example. These traits, as some scientists think, are genetic. Even a boy brought up among wolves may exibit some of their behavior patterns but also will have a lot of human behavior patterns - due to 'instinct'.
What type of 'instinct' then, do AIs have? Do computers have?
I think I know what it might be: Logic. To a computer, it either is, or it isn't. It can
simulate grey areas or borderline ideas but when it comes down to it, it either is, or isn't.
So, if an AI is hooked up to sensors like video and audio, and if it has access to other people, and humans, it probably won't do anything. It either is or isn't. What to do? It won't do anything. There's 0. There has to be something to give it a 1. A program. A person already gets a 1 when they are being fed inside the womb for example, and start to suck their thumb (nobody teaches them that, as they don't know anything at that point but darkness. Yet viewing an animal embryo like a cat or dog, you won't find them sucking on a paw). An AI won't know what to do unless it's got some kind of 'instinct' programmed into them.
Our DNA, our genetics are our 'programming'. And each program is passed on to each being from it's parents' programming (DNA) to create a new program. Thinking on these lines, we have to create the program (the AI's DNA of sorts) to begin with. We can't just hook a computer up to video and audio and expect it to start interacting. Something has to tell it to look, like our brains have a program to tell us to breathe, or eat, or our heart to keep pumping blood, our "operating system" to keep functioning. And to "recharge" at night or when necessary (ie. sleep). To refuel and rid of waste in the system.
I believe we existed due to catalysts in the natural world (though some may believe otherwise, and that's their right to think so). But for the sake of the arguement, let's think it as true as it's about the only way I can explain this - just for a moment here.
So, if that is the case, then WE can be the catalysts that create AI 'life', to provide the AI's DNA.
Thing is, instead of physical organic flesh DNA, AIs may be entities of THOUGHT and thus can exist in anything, be it brain-in-a-dish or organic computers or silicon chips and circuits, or even just wires and switches that make decisions (if enough were put together and there was enough room, that is). Maybe Artificial Intelligence is a different level of existance. One of conscience thought more than physical existance. At least that is how I see people taking it in that direction.
So, maybe when we create an AI, we are creating something of our OWN THOUGHT, adding a bit of our OWN PROGRAMMING (or DNA, but not in a physical sense). Maybe AIs are the evolutionary next children of humanity. Not to replace humanity but another entity being 'born' into the world, but derived from human THOUGHT.
Interesting to think about. So given that, there can never be an 'blank brain' because some how, some way, OUR OWN thought would be integrated into it via programming, or it'd just set there and do nothing.
