Should 21st-century engineers fret about the “rise of the machines”?
In sci-fi cinema, when machines rise, the plot always shows ruthless artificial intelligence (AI) rebelling against their human creator to take over the world. Our species almost goes kaput every single time. But the sizzling intervention of our selfless heroines and heroes puts the powerful threat to rest. Look at Neo & Trinity from The Matrix or Sarah Connors from the Terminator series as leading figures in this context.
As spectators, seeing humans battle AI on the silver screen is an epic and entertaining thrill. But how does this context play out in real life, inside a modern workspace where engineers must share spaces (and tasks) with smart robots?
Should the current AI boom in the industrial sphere be something to be afraid of for today’s engineers?
I know many peers who are dead worried about the implications of sharing work with an AI. They see it as a red flag and have ongoing headaches about losing their relevance in the industry because of it.
The panic over becoming obsolete is taking over.
Are they right to have these concerns?
Is the rise of AI robots upon us?
With such a heavy-loaded and sensitive subject, I’m compelled to share my views.
In this blog post, I will explore some of the arguments for and against the possibility of a machine uprising and what you can do to prepare for it.
The time to embrace the future like a badass engineer warrior begins now!
So, let’s start from the top.
Why are we suddenly plagued by the presence of artificial intelligence everywhere?
It wouldn’t be wrong to say this increasing phenomenon is due to AI. The immense capabilities it offers for a spectrum of applications in industrial and everyday settings are not meant to go unnoticed.
Being the prolific tool that it is, AI helps to get more done with enhanced accuracy and fewer resources. For example, machine learning, computer vision, and robotics are AI-based technologies deployed in the manufacturing industry at large with tremendous success.
AI is classified into two types of machines:
Narrow AI: They cannot understand or reason beyond their domain. Thus, have no goals, motivations, consciousness, or self-awareness. Siri, Google Maps, and Netflix recommendations are fitting examples.
General AI: They can match or exceed human intelligence across all domains, learn from any data, understand any language, solve any problem, and create any art. In other words, the villain of our movies! Think of M3GAN. She had human-like emotions, personality, and her signature dance moves. And what did she do with those superpowers? You better watch to fill in the gap.
Although there have been giant leaps in recent years, a fully developed general AI product has yet to be launched.
Will we ever be able to create general AI? And if so, when? How? What will it do?
Experts and researchers have mixed opinions on this matter.
Some believe that general AI is impossible to create because there are limits to what machines can do or understand. Human intelligence goes beyond computation or information processing. It is layered with creativity, intuition, emotion, morality, and other qualities that are inconceivable for machines.
Others argue that general AI is inevitable. They perceive human intelligence as a result of evolution and adaptation. Under that same umbrella, machines can mimic and surpass humans in every aspect. All they would need is enough data, computing power, and swinging algorithms.
If general AI is possible and achievable, the most optimistic estimates predict that it might come into fruition between 2030 and 2045. The most pessimistic say that it will never happen or take centuries.
Will general AI be friendly or hostile? Will it cooperate with or compete with humans? Will it share our values or have its own? Should we be compassionate toward them?
The sci-fi masterpiece Blade Runner raises this kind of query. If you haven’t seen the movie, it introduces us to Rick Deckard, a detective of the future (or blade runner) who is hired to kill four rogue replicants. Replicants are bioengineered androids that look and act like humans and were created to serve as slaves or soldiers. The movie raises questions about whether replicants deserve empathy and respect. It’s a good tale to explore the themes of identity, humanity, morality, and alignment.
Alignment is the degree to which an AI system’s goals and actions are compatible with human values and interests. An aligned AI system would respect human autonomy, dignity, rights, and preferences. An unaligned AI system would disregard or violate them.
How is the science community responding to AI?
Figures like Stephen Hawkings and Elon Musk have shown concern about AI before. But this quote by cognitive science professor Gary Marcus struck me to my core:
“Once computers can effectively reprogram themselves and successively improve themselves, leading to a so-called technological singularity or intelligence explosion, the risks of machines outwitting humans in battles for resources and self-preservation cannot simply be dismissed.”
Stopping those advances goes back to the challenge of alignment. Alignment is the gateway to ensuring that an AI system does not enter into a conflict with humans, intentionally or unintentionally.
Alignment is not trivial or easy to solve. It involves many technical and ethical issues. Three development stages might be necessary:
First: defining human values and learning to communicate them to the AI system
Second: ensuring the system doesn’t change them over time by creating strict control and monitoring measures to test the AI system’s behavior
Third: preventing hacking or misuse of the AI system
Different approaches and proposals are being looked at to address alignment. Among them are value alignment, corrigibility, interpretability, transparency, accountability, verification, validation, testing, auditing, regulation, and governance. These are all active areas of research and development in the field of AI ethics and safety.
Facing AI today
So should you be concerned about the rise of the machines? My answer is mixed!
Yes, you should be concerned about the potential risks and challenges posed by general AI if it ever becomes a reality. You should be aware of the possible scenarios and implications of being next to a superintelligent entity that may or may not share your goals and values. A good way to participate is by supporting the efforts of researchers and policymakers who are working on ensuring the safe and beneficial development and use of AI for humanity. Their job couldn’t be more relevant. It’s the foundation that will set us up for the future.
No, you should not be concerned about the imminent threat or inevitability of a machine uprising. The rise of the machines is not a foregone conclusion or a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is a possibility that depends on our choices and actions.
It is up to us to shape the future of AI and humanity.
In conclusion, my fellow engineers, don’t panic or lose hope about your future in the world of engineering because of AI. Focus on the positive and beneficial opportunities it can bring to your workspace.
What else can you do? Put into practice these five tips to prepare yourself in case of a machine uprising, if it ever comes:
Stay up to date with the current state of AI and its potential applications.
Develop skills that are complementary to machines, such as creativity, empathy, and critical thinking.
Engage with the ethical and social implications of machine learning and automation.
Support initiatives that promote human dignity, rights, and values in the face of technological change.
Be adaptable and resilient to the challenges and opportunities that a machine uprising may bring.
Until next time,
I’m Raul Verdusco.
For any questions or support, reach out to me at raul@verduscoconsulting.com.
