Expert: George Moustris - 9/26/2004

Question
Is it a fair comment to say that when artificial intelligence is perfected that we will have created an independant life form? And that that lifeform could even try to elimanate us, their creator if they see fit?

Answer
Well Bruce, you raise some important questions with no definite answers. Whether or not it will be a "life" form, i don't know. It depends on your definition of life.What is more accurate to say is an independant conscious entity.Even this is under debate (see hard/soft AI debates).I believe it will be a conscious entity, as consious as a human,although it doesn't have to have human traits in its personality, or even human emotions.Anyway, i think the answer to your first question is yes. If then, this entity is independant(to what degree?), there is a possibility of trying to attack humans.Ofcourse,there is the possibility of not trying to attack humans. It depends on the terms "independant".Does it mean that we'll have no control over its thoughts and actions?Some control?Full control?I don't know.But from what is seems nowadays,computer programmes evolve in seemingly novel (and sometimes obscure) ways. Ways which we could never predict.This is a form of indepedence, but then again we can shut the computer down and get done with it.Will this be the case in the future?Again i don't know. It seems plausible but no one is a prophet.In the end, the goal of AI is to create totally independant artificial entities. So, if this goal is ever achieved, you can be fairly sure that if these entities have emotions and know the sense of threat, they will definitely attack humans.This doesn't mean there will be an apocalyptic plan to wipe out human race as in the Terminator trilogy.Think of it more like an instinctive reaction to danger and a self preservation principle (if these entities have,or can have those).

Best G.