Future Hi: 3 Laws Unsafe

July 16, 2004

3 Laws Unsafe

Future Hi pal Tyler Emerson has just launched 3 Laws Unsafe with the opening of I, Robot staring Wil Smith.

From the Press Release:

Atlanta, GA – In anticipation of 20th Century Fox’s July 16th release of I, Robot, the Singularity Institute announces “3 Laws Unsafe” (www.asimovlaws.com). “3 Laws Unsafe” explores the problems presented by Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, the principles intended for ensuring that robots help, but never harm, humans. The Three Laws are widely known and are often taken seriously as reasonable solutions for guiding future AI. But are they truly reasonable? “3 Laws Unsafe” addresses this question.

Tyler Emerson, Executive Director of the Singularity Institute: “The release of I, Robot is a wonderful chance to engage more people about the perils and promise of strong AI research. The constraints portrayed in I, Robot appear extremely dangerous and excessively lacking as an approach to moral AI. The Singularity Institute’s detailed approach, by contrast, utilizes advanced technical research for creating a mind that is humane in nature.”

“3 Laws Unsafe” will include articles by several authors, weekly poll questions, a blog for announcements and commentary related to I, Robot and the Three Laws, a free newsletter subscription, and a reading list with books on relevant topics such as the future of AI, accelerating change, cognitive science and nanotechnology.

The Singularity Institute’s Advocacy Director, Michael Anissimov: “It is essential that more considerate thinkers get involved in dialogues of AI ethics and strategy. Although AI as a discipline has a dubious history of false starts, the accelerating growth of computing power and brain science knowledge will very likely result in its creation at some point. In the past few years, technologists such as Ray Kurzweil and Bill Joy have been informing the public about this critical issue; but more awareness is now needed.”

The Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SIAI) was founded in 2000 for the pursuit of ethically enhanced intelligence by creating humane AI. SIAI believes the ethical and significant enhancement of intelligence will help solve contemporary problems, such as disease and illness, poverty and hunger, more readily than other philanthropic causes. SIAI is a tax-exempt non-profit organization with branches in Canada and the United States.

Posted by paul at July 16, 2004 01:22 PM | TrackBack

Comments

We should be using the 3 Laws debate to not only make ethical AI, but Government and Corporations, as well.

Posted by: sauceruney at July 16, 2004 07:40 PM

And just to think of all the time, energy, and moolah being comsumed on heavy AI research, and bearly none of which goes towards Stem cell research and growing back AI; Actual Intelligence.

and word with sauceraucer.

Posted by: Sandozer at July 18, 2004 12:13 AM

AI is one of those funny technologies like hot fusion, where success always seems 10 years away. Even in the 50's there were AI researchers who thought that computers that could reason were only a decade away. The truth is that reasoning is such an elusive mystery that it may be a very long time before it can be codified. Perhaps quantum computers will help, who knows.

But, except in Sci Fi movies, I don't think we're anywhere near the point where we have to worry about computers being too intelligent.

A proof of this is operating system technology. You'd think that if anything were susceptible to being understood by computers, it would be computers themselves. Therefore if AI were fairly close, you'd see operating systems where you could say "Please reload Microsoft Word, scan for viruses and remove them, and find me any files where I discuss the hiesenberg uncertainly principle".

But no, we're still quite far away from something as easy as this.

Cheers,
D

Posted by: Dlight at July 20, 2004 12:14 PM

As long as you limit your concept of AI to only being contained within computers, you're probably right, Dlight. We've given birth to intelligence constructs that require thinking and breathing humans to make up individual cells of these artificial 'brains'. Corporations. Governments. Schools of knowledge.

The computer has made them more efficient and powerful, where used properly (or improperly, depending on your POV). Someday the computers won't need the people. We're nowhere near that point, but we should be well aware of its inevitablilty and take precautions where possible.

Posted by: sauceruney at July 22, 2004 07:18 PM