Plug and Pray is an intriguing documentary that explores the
development of robotics and artificial intelligence along with ethical and
religious issues connected with it. This film addresses the idea that computers
could simulate everything we (humans) experience and that artificial
intelligence would simulate and amplify our intelligence. The goal for
artificial intelligence is to create robots that are more exemplary than our
moral, spiritual, and emotional intelligence.
My question then becomes, why does it take a machine to help form us
into the best versions of ourselves?
Professor Weizenbaum suggests that the computer world,
including artificial intelligence has been driven by euphoria and delusions of
grandeur. He asks, “What does it mean to
understand man, to be able to create one?” I still wonder how we can truly
understand man without an ‘other’ perspective.
It is apparent that robots will go beyond what Aristotle suggested,
which was replacing slaves with machines. Humans should expect or at least
begin to consider coexistence with what “Plug and Pray” commentators call robo
species. In addition to being so advanced, robots, as explained in The Most Human Human, will be used to
understand man.
As mentioned earlier, ethics and religion are sure to be up
for consideration in thinking about artificial intelligence and artificial
human beings. One researcher suggests that one should rethink concepts of almighty
God. One thought I had while watching this documentary is that robots reveal
that humans want to be in control and have ownership, but that they these
robots are capable to be a tool to teach humans to be more selfless. Although
there might be some religious aspects to consider when it comes to AI, the fact
that they can facilitate selflessness is a plus, from a Christian perspective.
Professor Weizenbaum who was instrumental in the groundwork
for the development of some A.I. was also very pessimistic about the
development and sees the idea of artificial human beings as a threat. When asked
about future human – to - A.I. romantic relationships, Weizenbaum responded: “A
beautiful woman that was never a child, has no history.” To an extent, an
artificial human can, however, develop a history, although it certainly isn’t
as deep and thorough as that of a human being.
According to what Assistant Professor Giorgio Metta shared
in the film, the development of artificial intelligence can’t be controlled
anymore. He, unlike Professor Weizenbaum, excitedly expresses that they can
grow swiftly to become as exemplary, if not more, than humans because “no one
has proven that it’s impossible yet.” For this reason, so many computer
scientists have committed themselves to developing A.I. What drives people to
be so committed to a goal, which they may not see completed? Those who are working towards the development of
A.I. truly believe that they can recreate man. In my opinion, however, as Professor
Weizenbaum asserted, man is not computable.
While I agree that there are so many good reasons to develop robots and artificial intelligence, an artificial human being will always be artificial and will also be
capable of going further and crossing more lines than anyone, even its
supporters, desire. It's purpose to exceed man is both a lesson and a challenge.
While progress is important and healthy for society, an artificial being is seen as both a wonder and a weapon, and man is just not computable. 
Hey Rakesha,
ReplyDeleteI searched low and high for the film Plug and Play because it sounded like interesting gamer movie but I'm glad someone got a chance to see it and review it. I like that they integrate ideologies of God and spirituality with the dilemma of robots and A.I. I also like the point you added about artificial beings being a wonder and a weapon, it shows how man can't help but create something destructive. I don't know what it is!
Hey Rakesha,
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog because it reminded me of religion. In searching for the truth, we imposed a sense of imperfection because of our weak grasp on God and with this perspective of imperfection we attempt to accept the reality. In other words we excuse ourselves for not knowing the truth by condemning ourselves as imperfect. Why do you think we are maintaining this stance towards the AIs?
Thanks, David! It's safe and easy to stop at the "imperfect" stance, perhaps that's why this is our response. Indeed we are, but I don't think that should be a stopping point, but a continual search for the truth beyond ourselves. I think the AI can be used as a tool to help us think and search for truth beyond ourselves, but they aren't, in my opinion, the only and ultimate tool or answer to our imperfections. However, we should possibly develop them and then learn from them, but have to be prepared for the risks too.
DeleteI really like how you explain that AI or robots are able to show selflessness, because now thinking back, Ex Machina was the only film I have watched where I did not think the AI was selfless. The rest of the AI and advancing technology knows nothing different than to serve in a way. Though, I do agree that we definitely need to think about the fact that machines are definitely in some way going to be more than just a means to replace labor.
ReplyDeleteThanks, McKenzie! You're right. We have to think more deeply about A.I.
DeleteI think they can teach us to be selfless, even when they are not just servants. Even when they are selfish, we can learn selflessness if we see the AI as reflections of ourselves and decide to act differently.
I would like to offer my opinion about the question you asked in the beginning which was why it takes a higher intelligence to help us become our best version of ourselves. I think that it takes a higher intelligence because as Christian says we have to be challenged to reach our fullest potential. Right now humans are content with society as it is because we are in our opinions the top species. Yet if a new species were to come along to threaten our feelings of superiority and uniqueness, we would feel the need to evolve and expand our minds so that we can again be greater than that other species.
ReplyDeleteTanquesha,
DeleteYou're right! Thanks for your comments. A challenge is good and necessary for growth. I wondered why, in particular, machines are the answer, but I'm learning that the fact that we can learn from our own creation (that is programmed to develop) is pretty splendid.
I think your post puts things in perspective. I haven't really thought about the idea of creating robots and A.I.s from an ethical or religious standpoint and I think that it's because I see A.I.'s still, as creations of man therefore they are not granted the same rights we are. While this idea may be flawed, I know, it's just my opinion on the subject. I just feel as though, if someone were to create an AI of higher moral, ethical, and emotional intelligence and told me that this is what we should aspire to be like, they would be asking me to attain an impossible goal. That even though they would be designed from human experiences and programmed to act based on human beliefs, that because they aren't human they can do it and that we can't. I get the competition thing and the inspiring motive behind the idea and that they may develop new feelings or gain more insight. That in the end, it's not ethical to create AI's which can be programmed to view things a certain way, and sheltered from things in certain ways and then tell humans that they are the future and they are better, be like them.
ReplyDelete