The Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Michael Joseph, September 1, 2021

From chat-bots to self-driving automobiles, artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at a breakneck pace. While science fiction frequently depicts AI as humanoid robots, AI can be anything from Google search engines to intelligent assistants.

AI today, referred to as weak or narrow AI, is capable of simulating human cognition. It can improve society by automating time-consuming jobs and evaluating data in ways that people are occasionally incapable of doing. It is, however, designed only to execute a specific task (e.g., text editors and autocorrect). These so-called “narrow” artificial bits of intelligence are ubiquitous, incorporated in your GPS and Netflix recommendations. Many researchers aim to ultimately construct artificial general intelligence (AGI or Strong AI), a self-teaching system capable of outperforming humans in a wide variety of domains. While narrow AI may surpass humans in a single skill, such as driving a car or searching the internet, AGI would outperform humans at practically all cognitive tasks.

While the concept of AGI sounds interesting, the most daunting characteristics to obtain are those that need engagement with uncontrolled and unprepared settings, and many aspects of artificial intelligence must be developed to construct systems with these qualities. The most important is the use of knowledge-representation languages capable of encoding data about objects, events, and actions, their associated properties, and their relationships, particularly cause-and-effect interactions. Additionally, we require new algorithms capable of solving issues and providing answers utilizing these representations. Therefore, they must be able to learn eternally. In summary, systems must incorporate elements of awareness, recognition, reasoning, response, and adaptation.

Even though AGI can reach new heights, complex intellect requires the use of the body, particularly the perceptual and motor systems. Apart from the fact that this intelligence will not be subjected to the same socialization and cultural acquisition processes as humans, this demonstrates that they will be unique. The presence of intelligence with opposed values and aims compels us to address the ethical implications of artificial intellect.