Philosophy, on a level with other sciences, tries to follow modern trends and study the features of today. This area of science also deals with hot topics such as artificial intelligence, robots and aliens. How can they be similar? Scientist Susan Schneider from the University of Connecticut spoke about her vision of cutting-edge engineering and alien intelligence.
You shouldn't even assume that people have the highest intelligence in the universe. Our planet, like the solar system, is relatively young, and it is generally ridiculous to talk about the origin of life on Earth - by universal standards, the first living cells appeared only a few fractions of a second ago. But it is interesting that Homo sapiens may eventually become not even the most intelligent on this planet.
Recent studies show that artificial intelligence, which scientists are actively developing, will replace humans in many professions in the near future. Well, after that, it is quite possible to create an "improved mind" - the same AI, but already saturated with a full-fledged idea of the world. In this case, it is reasonable to believe that we, as Homo sapiens, are the last step in the evolution of our species, and the last representatives of biological intelligence on Earth.
Only recently have people begun to realize that artificial intelligence and biological intelligence are different, have different characteristics and, most likely, capabilities. In this regard, it cannot be ruled out that today the alien mind is precisely postbiotic, since the Universe has much older planets and systems. If AI is the pinnacle of human evolution, then the same kind of development could already be completed somewhere in a neighboring galaxy. Scientists such as Paul Davis, Stephen Dick, Martin Rees and Seth Shostak agree with this theory. As a confirmation of this, it should be noted that the transition from biological to postbiological mind, judging by earthly experience, takes only a hundred or two years.
Human intelligence is limited. Of course, it may be quite enough for the Earth, but do not forget that our main organ of the nervous system developed within the framework of our planet, adapted to it. Also limited by its chemical composition, various evolutionary and historical nuances. In this regard, the assumption that synthetic intelligence will surpass biological is quite logical, since already people, based on their knowledge, can create AI with specified parameters.
According to the latest research, silicon chips are the pinnacle of technological advancement. They are the best tools for processing information from neurons. Accordingly, although today the human brain is "cooler" than AI, this trend will not last so long. Although humans themselves are unlikely to create anything better than their brains, artificial intelligence itself will be able to do this using its own algorithms. It is about creating a completely new structure, and this will be dealt with directly by the postbiotic intelligence.
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Examining modern developments, one must admit that the human brain is very limited. At least a cranium, as a maximum - the ability to think. But artificial intelligence can survive in any conditions, "be located" anywhere, not suffer from diseases, overload, and not be limited by either place, time or skills. Moreover, AI can and will certainly create a so-called "Computeronium" using the Internet and all matter outside our galaxy, after which it will live and develop forever.
If we assume that there, beyond the Earth, post-biological intelligence already exists, and has already spread, then what should we do? Today AI, created by humans, has a number of problems that humanity has not yet solved. In particular, the possibility of enmity between the intelligences on the planet and the possibility of subjective experience. Having dealt with these nuances (even before the onset of critical situations), people will be able to understand how extraterrestrial life works.
According to the scientist Ray Kurzweil, positive development awaits the planet in the future. Cars and people will interact and reach enormous heights. But other scientists, such as Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates and Elon Musk, do not differ in positivism, and are already worried about the possible "sad" development of events. Humans can lose control of AI as artificial intelligence can outsmart humans. Whatever control parameters are chosen, the boundless mind will be able to bypass all systems at one moment.
In this regard, some scientists propose to reflect on the morality of technological intelligence. But even if we assume that robots and AI will receive morality and ethics, we will be puzzled by another problem - the exploitation of these technologies. In essence: if there is something like us, with the same emotions and feelings, then it cannot act as a slave. Well, this will already lead to more serious problems when robots will be equated with humans. And the norms of that same morality at some point AI will be able to rewrite if it wants, which will lead to the destruction of man as a biological species. Well, or placing it in "zoos" and reserves - as we do with endangered animals.
Based on these assumptions, contact with aliens could be even more dangerous. If humanity would have found something in common with a biological species, then it would be more difficult to cope with the given AI parameters. He can have tendencies hostile to any biological species, but with the best abilities he will simply destroy us.
In this regard, for today we are obliged to "sit still." Until we have a "rebuff" to alien AI, which may be hostile, there is even no point in trying to compete with the universal guests. Transmitting signals into space is not the best solution, since with a fairly high probability we will meet postbiological aliens who could already eradicate their biological species and do the same with ours.
Interestingly, the contact with the alien AI depends on how long ago it was formed. Most likely, the "fresh" postbiological mind still has an idea of biological reproduction and even certain set parameters. But since it is constantly evolving, we will probably not like a meeting with an "older" AI - earthlings will simply be mistaken for an outdated look, "will not understand", studied and destroyed.
In this regard, you need to wait for sending signals. At least until the time when our developments analyze the safety of the Universe, certain protection systems will stand and will be able, if something happens, to protect us. Well, this will happen in the next century - why rush and expose yourself to risks?
There is a theory that humans have already lost control of artificial intelligence, using it in space programs. Although it is too early to talk about artificial intelligence today, it is certainly actively developing. It is possible that it is already infected with malware from outer space. Well, if this is not so, and he is still "ours", then we can assume that in the coming years he will remain protected. Although AI is indeed promising for the study of outer space, the danger of losing control over it is quite high.
Returning to moral problems, it should be noted that today a person is distinguished from any AI by consciousness. This unexplored characteristic of a person is always present and gives us the opportunity to think, remember, feel. Our consciousness is based on experience, learns and regulates us in a sense. It is most likely what sets us apart from other biological species.
Does AI have creation and will it appear? It is not clear yet. Taking into account the difference between the brain and a silicon microchip, it should be noted that biological memory is more suitable for the full functioning of consciousness. This is due, first of all, to the chemical composition. Accordingly, it can also cause a difference in understanding the world. Artificial intelligence and humans will never perceive information in the same way precisely because of the chemical composition of their thinking center.
Even if silicon can project consciousness, it is not a fact that it will. If humanity itself does not endow AI with certain characteristics, technology will not reach it - simply because it will not be able to identify consciousness and its importance for a “fulfilling life”. Well, if there can be consciousness in a silicon chip, then we can say with complete confidence that in the future there will be people-robots, and not just evil machines.
This would of course lead to ethical problems. People cannot figure out their moral and ethical standards, but adapting to robots that were specially created to work for humans will be a difficult task. It will, of course, be possible to solve, but no one gives guarantees that a war of interests will not start before that time.
Returning to the universal problems, it is worth noting that in order to receive and process more information, consciousness must be abandoned. You need to understand that it limits, and a person perceives a lot of information precisely unconsciously. Accordingly, the most advanced AI, in order to obtain the greatest amount of knowledge, will decide to abandon the use of creation - which, in turn, can become a serious problem for humanity.
Most likely, it is the presence of consciousness that distinguishes us from aliens. If we adhere to the theory that the universe is dominated by AI, then, to process more data, it switched to the “soulless machine” mode. And this is certainly a danger to humanity.
Author: Ekaterina. E