The Future of Superintelligence

Introduction

Currently, humans are believed to the most intelligent species in the world due to the long history of evolution pressure and adaptation. However, the current state of technological progress and acceleration indicate that in the future humans may create a more superior species, superintelligence. This is one of the primary reasons why the topic interested me and probed me to conduct further investigation of superintelligence.

Superintelligence Definition

Superintelligence refers to any system, machine, or robot that has an increased intelligence that surpasses the cognitive capabilities of humans. It has also been argued that superintelligence would allow systems, machines, and robots to increase their intelligence over a short time rapidly. As a result, the topic interested me as there is a need to understand what the future would look like if superintelligence becomes a reality rather than a mere hypothesis. Currently, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in people’s lives and various sectors indicate that superintelligence is slowly manifesting into reality. To better understand superintelligence and how it would impact the future, it is crucial to know the paths to superintelligence, the human factors associated with the technology, its low general intelligence applications, potential destructions, theories related to it, and issues concerning the theme.

Paths To Super Intelligence

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Path

AI is application has been identified as one of the facilitators of super intelligence. Artificial intelligence is an area in computer science concerned with the creation of intelligent machines, systems, and robots that have the capability of working and reacting like humans. According to reports, AI was first coined in 1956 by John McCarthy that acted as an umbrella for technologies from process automation to actual robotics. Researches and innovations associated with artificial intelligence have characterized with technical complexity and specialization. Machine learning is one of the core parts of AI acting as a path toward superintelligence. Through machine learning, robots and machine have been able to do some of the tasks that were previously done by people. Machine learning is based on the idea that computer systems, robots, and machines can learn from data, identify specific patterns, and also make decisions with minimal intervention of humans. Through AI, computers, robots, and machines would be expected to learn the reason, and self-concrete themselves, which is one way of attaining super intelligence. Other technologies associated with AI that are believed to be facilitators of super intelligence include artificial neural networks and evolutionary programming (Bostrom, 2014).

The Whole Brain Emulation (WBE) Path

Apart from AI, the whole brain emulation technology has been regarded as another promoter of super intelligence. The whole brain emulation has been considered as one of the most complex technologies today. Although WBE is still a hypothetical futuristic technology that is under research and investigation, researchers argue that it is one way of making super intelligence a reality. The technology is based on the argument that the information contained in the brain can be transferred onto a computing substrate, which has been believed to be one of the easiest ways of creating intelligent systems, robots, and machines. Research indicates that through WBE, science-based intelligence can be achieved by copying biological intelligence. It has been argued that WBE would in the future become a reality. With the current innovation on the technology such as digital brains that are used to explore the parameters that have been associated malfunctioning of the mind, there is evidence that WBE may become a reality in the future. One fascinating fact is that there would be no need for humanity to fully understand how the brain works for a superintelligence to be a reality. Due to the technology, the structure of the human mind would be able to be copied retaining its capability to control the synthetic body.

The Neuromorphic Path

Neuromorphic technology is believed to be another facilitator of super intelligence. Neuromorphic technology is based on the idea that microprocessor chips can be created to replicate the processing capabilities of the human brain in real time. These microprocessors are known as neuromorphic chips. Currently, the benefits of neuromorphic technology are evident with innovations such as the silicon brains that are inspired by the biological brain. Based on research, neuromorphic chips promise a better understanding of the human mind that can help to facilitate super intelligence. Efficiency in the technology is being promoted by incorporating techniques in neural network modeling and brain emulation with a combination of AI techniques that promises to facilitate the steps needed for super intelligence. Instead of copying the brain structure like in WBE, neuromorphic technology aims at using broad segments of humanity’s overall connectome to combine it with other AI technologies to build a more superior brain. The technologies as mentioned earlier are believed to be the facilitators of super intelligence. Although some of the technologies have not started to be practically deployed in the society, the levels of improvements indicate that through the technologies superintelligence would become a reality in the future.

The Human Factors in Superintelligence

As technologies such as AI, WBE, and neuromorphic technologies try to facilitate superintelligence, the ability of systems, machines, and robots to perform human tasks continue to accelerate. Technologies that reduce or eliminate physical and mental efforts are not new concepts but as old as the human race itself. Today there are various technologies such as machines, big data, automated systems that perform specific tasks that were previously done by humans. Now the future is towards superintelligence as people try to seek the help of technology to perform further complex tasks. The society is trying to see how it can facilitate superintelligence to leverage the technology for the benefit of humanity (Barrett & Baum, 2016).

Superintelligence is based on the basis that although the human mind can develop to a very significant level, its, however, evolving at a slower pace that is failing to keep up with technology. Human as species are pressed with the urge to push past boundaries to try, build, and make different kinds of things and superintelligence is one of these innovations. The brain facilitates the use of common sense, which is something that has been lacking in all the previous technologies. However, in future, it is expected that through superintelligence, machines, systems, and robots would be able to use common sense while performing the allocated tasks. Through the help of technologies such as AI, WBE, and neuromorphic, it is expected that robots, systems, and machines would fit into the human-centered value system by utilizing common sense and taking into account the unique human abilities. It is expected that by achieving superintelligence machines, systems, and robots will attain superhuman intelligence that would permanently outpace the human mind. From the beginning, technology has been successful in helping humans to solve various complications problems in different sectors in the country (Barrett & Baum, 2016).

Applications and Experiences Related to Superintelligence

The argument that superintelligence will one day become a full reality is based on the current status of technology concerning how it is moving towards it. The advances and application of AI, for example, is evident in society and slowly becoming popular. Today, machines are becoming more intelligent due to the massive data volumes and highly sophisticated algorithms that are embedded in their systems. Due to AI, machines and robots can now mimic and improve some of the tasks that were previously performed by people. Additionally, computers and robots that run on AI can output responses provided they are given the right input. Application of AI and associated technologies has continued to prove that attaining superintelligence is not just a mere dream. In the future, it is expected that superintelligence would allow robots, machines, and systems to analyze information patterns, identify the wrong outputs, and further produce relevant and self-selected responses (Kumarasamy, 2017).

As an individual who is well aware and associated with technology, I have had some lived experiences with some of the applications of superintelligence, which is still at the low levels of its maturity process. Machines, robots, and systems are still on the low-level general intelligence, so superintelligence is still hypothetically at the moment. Artificial intelligence is one of the primary reasons why the topic of superintelligence interested me. I have come to realize that I interact with AI almost every day without knowing. Through understanding superintelligence and the paths to superintelligence, I happen to understand that anyone who uses a smartphone is interacting with AI. Features such as built-in smart assistants and portrait mode in cameras are all products of AI. Smartphones with Google Assistant are also based on AI, which is something that I frequently use.

Another lived experience with the low-level general applications, which marks the beginning of superintelligence, has been through social media. Through understanding what AI is as a path to superintelligence, I have come to realize that social media feeds that are found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are based on AI. Feeds that appear on social media networks are curated by AI, which impacts most of the decisions that I make on the platforms. Superintelligence is, therefore, already affecting some of the typical activities, which drew me to the topic. I further became curious about the level of impact that superintelligence would have in people’s lives when it reaches full maturity, which created an urge in me to want to know more about the topic. Already, self-driving cars are being witnessed on the streets with Google cars being the most popular ones. Superintelligence is, therefore, already unfolding in front of us and the future people would get to experience what it can really do because it would become a reality.

Potentials of Destruction

Regardless of the potential benefits that are associated with superintelligence, there have been concerns that the technology might lead to some destructions. This is another reason why the topic should be of interest to many people. Superintelligence will in the future become a reality and when this level is attained machines, systems, and robots would have surpassed human intellectual, physical strength, speed, and stamina. Currently, some machines already surpass humans in physical strength, speed, and stamina. The future is that computers, robots, and systems would surpass human intelligence as well. Currently, artificial intelligence is beating humans in some intellectual activities such as chess and trivia games. Although machines, systems, and robots still lack the flexible learning and reasoning ability, it is expected that with the evolution of technologies such as WBE and neuromorphic technologies, they would be able to master any of the various occupations and tasks performed by humans. The primary concern for such evolution is whether due to superintelligence the human species would be under threat (Gurkaynak, Yilmaz, & Haksever, 2016).

It is argued that machines, systems, and robots due to superintelligence might put their consideration first and ignore the interest of the human race due to advanced intelligence and survival instincts. Through superintelligence, machines would be adopted not only to improve human life but theirs as well. Additionally, extreme intelligence is usually hard to control, which further threatens human existence. Over the years, humans have become the dominant species on earth due to the high levels of intellectual abilities. However, with the introduction of a new species in the future that is more intelligent than the human species, humanity might be at risk (Gurkaynak, Yilmaz, & Haksever, 2016).

Theories Associated with Superintelligence

Technological Singularity Theories

The singularity theories are based on the hypothesis that superintelligence machines, systems, and robots would be created in the future. According to the singularity theories, the future will be filled with advanced technologies that are beyond human control regarding the outcomes. Based on the theories, due to the application of superintelligence to humans and their problems, the world would be transformed beyond recognition. Technological singularity theory is one of the singularity theories that is highly linked to superintelligence. Vernor Vinge coined the term in 1983 where he argued that the world would create intelligence that is greater than theirs. According to Vinge, when the state is reached, the world power will shift since the established species will also be more intelligent and further possess the ability to create beings that are intelligent than them. With that in mind, the theory seems to hold some reality. The current nature of exponential growth and advances in technology indicates that the world is heading to what Vinger predicted (Yampolskiy, 2017).

Ray Kurzweil is another famous theorist in the technological singularity theory. In his works, Kurzweil argued that technological progress usually tends to move ahead at a high exponential rate. Kurzweil explained that technology acceleration had been fostered by the desire of humanity to build today’s tools that would help to create even much better tools in the future. However, according to Kurzweil technology theory, the human brain tends to anticipate the future linearly rather than exponentially, which puts humanity at a disadvantage. Based on this argument, Kurzweil argued that humanity in the future would build surprisingly powerful technologies that are beyond their control. Another popular theory is the John Von Neumann technological singularity theory. Neumann described singularity as the moment where technological progress would reach a level where it is incomprehensively rapid and complicated. According to Neumann, technology acceleration and improvement in the future would give an appearance of essential singularity where human affairs without technology would be impossible (Yampolskiy, 2017).

The Evolution of Machines Theory

The evolution of machine theory was formulated by Samuel Butler who combined in his theory his personal observations on the rapid technological progress that was being experienced during the Industrial Revolution and Charles’ Darwin Theory of evolution of species. In his theory, Butler argued that the technological evolution of machines in the world would continue to progress until machines replace tasks performed by people and humans as well. Butler, therefore, believed that the race to superintelligence would be the next step of evolution in the world. Butler’s theory indicated that humans were basically creating their next successors without them consciously knowing it by adding both beauty and delicacy to their physical organization. From his observations, Butler argued that humans were becoming more dependent on machines to perform some of their tasks and solve problems that are being witnessed. Butler claimed that people were daily devoting their energies to the development of mechanical life as a way of solving problems and making life better. The scholar in his theory further indicated that there was no security to the ultimate development of the mechanical consciousness and in the future machines would have their conscious that would provide them with the ability to make choices and decisions (Butler, 2015).

Issues Concerning Super Intelligence

The Society

The internet has transformed societies in many ways. With over 3.2 billion people utilizing the internet, businesses have been able to forge relationships with people in communities. The technologies in communities have, however, been criticized for privacy invasion. Technology is becoming more integrated into people’s lives and work. There is mass storage of personal information when dealing with the sales force, which has led to their exposure to strangers, hackers, and identity thieves. Superintelligence has been argued that it would contribute to more privacy invasion. This has raised concerns that due to superintelligence and its invasion of people’s privacy civil rights would be violated. Surveillance devices that have become abundant in many societies are another way that has been argued to be invading people’s privacy. Surveillance is being used to monitor the activities of people, which people claim is a privacy invasion (Makridakis, 2016).

The public has raised concerns that there are few regulations to restrict privacy invasion by technology already. It is argued that societies are filled with technologies that know people such as optics devices and those fitted with a camera. Facial recognition devices are currently being utilized to match the identities of people in sales force social media networks without their consent. This has led to the access of personal information of individuals and businesses in societies, which has been argued to be a privacy invasion. Due to the increasing reliance on technology by communities, the future of privacy has been claimed to be uncertain especially in the sales force field. As people are brought closer to each from different societies, privacy has started to recede. Different types of information can be easily accessed with the consent of the owners due to mass storage on the internet. This has raised concerns that there needs to be put in place adequate laws that can protect people’s right to privacy (Makridakis, 2016).

Replacement of Human Labor

Machines are considered as the perfect employees in the future and are expected to replace human labor in various industries due to superintelligence in the future. The main reasons why the future machines are regarded as perfect employees would be because of their preciseness, efficiency, and obedient when it comes to performing their duties. Various industries have already recently made great use of machines in performing simple tasks that were initially performed by human labor. The assimilation of machines as part of the global workforce now seems as an avoidable reality due to its increasing popularity in many industries due to advantages associated with their use. Technology has dramatically advanced that there are machines that can be programmed to perform manual tasks without a human operator (Pueyo, 2018).

The agriculture sector is one of the industries that has been in the heart of technology for a long time now, and machines are no exceptions. Farming machines have been used to reduce labor in the agriculture industry. Today, the agriculture industry has started adopting IoT enhanced machines to aid in productions. Machines are being used to grow crops from scratch without any human influence. New machines have been invented which can sow and feed plants. Some machines can also control weeds with most of them controlled via the use of apps. Superintelligence in the future would reduce the physical presence of humans in the agriculture industry is continually becoming unnecessary as machines replace human labor in the sector. The agriculture machines today have turned into data-rich sensing and monitoring systems, which have been used to increase in production. The machines are more dependent on the collection, transfer, and management of information programmed into them while performing their duties. Apart from the precision weed control, crop harvesting, and planting and seeding machines, drones are also other machines gaining popularity in the agriculture sector. Drones are mostly used to take agriculture data and conduct analysis on how to help in increasing crop yields and profits by providing a general overview of terrains and highlighting the best areas suitable for agriculture practices (Saner, 2015).

Conclusion

The primary reason why the topic of superintelligence interested me is due to the technological changes that are being witnessed, potential destruction of the technology to the human species, and issues regarding superintelligence. The singularity theories and the evolution of machines theory are two popular theories that have focused their discussion on revealing the possibility of superintelligence coming to reality in the future. The significant paths to superintelligence that have been identified by research include AI, WBE, and neuromorphic technologies. Regardless of what may be said regarding superintelligence, evidence reveals that the theories as mentioned earlier were right, and superintelligence would become a reality in the future. Currently, applications of technologies such as AI, that I have also had experience with indicate that superintelligence is slowly manifesting into reality.

Reference

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Bostrom, N. (2014). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.

Butler, S. (2015). Delphi Complete Works of Samuel Butler (Illustrated). Delphi Classic             Publishers.

Gurkaynak, G., Yilmaz, I., & Haksever, G. (2016). Stifling artificial intelligence: Human perils. Computer Law & Security Review , 749-758.

Kumarasamy, M. (2017). An Evaluation of Artificial Super Intelligence in Data Mining, Health Care and Cyber Security. International Jpournal of Current Engineering and Scientific Research     , 176-185.

Makridakis, S. (2016). The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution: Its impact on        society and firms. 46-60.

Pueyo, S. (2018). Growth, degrowth, and challenge of artificial superintelligence. Journal of       Cleaner Production , 1731-1737.

Saner, M. (2015). Technological Unemployment, AI, and Workplace Standardization: The      Convergence Argument. Journal of Evolution and Technology , 74-80.

Yampolskiy, R. V. (2017). Artificial Superintelligence: A Futuristic Approach. Taylor & Francis        Limited.