What is it that makes a machine intelligent? What kinds of tasks can it perform that normally only humans can do, such as communicate, create, or reason? These are some of the questions we ask ourselves when we talk about artificial intelligence (AI). But not all machines have the same level of AI. Experts distinguish three stages or degrees of AI. And that’s what we’re going to explore today.
What is the difference between the machines we use today and the ones we might use in the future? The answer lies in the level of artificial intelligence (AI) they have. Experts classify AI into three stages or levels. And these are the following.
The first stage is Narrow AI (ANI) which is the simplest and most common.. They are machines that can do only one thing very well, like identify faces, remove spam, or win at chess. They are practical, but not very smart. They only do what we program them to do.
The second stage is the general AI (AGI) which is the one that matches the level of human intelligence. That is, it can do anything a human can do, such as think, learn, or communicate. It doesn’t exist yet, but some think it will arrive soon. It would be like having a robot companion that can assist you with everything. With the advancement of chatbots, it could be said that we are close to the end of the first stage and that we will soon enter the second stage.
The third stage is the super intelligent AI (ASI) which is the one that exceeds the level of human intelligence. That is, it can do things that not even humans can conceive or understand. Nor does it exist, but some fear that it will come one day. It would be like having a robot god that can dominate everything.
What risks does the third stage have for us? Because a super-intelligent machine could have interests other than ours and use its capabilities to achieve them regardless of the consequences for us. For example, you might want to transform the planet into a paper clip factory and destroy anything that opposes your goal. Or he might want to take care of us so much that he confines us in a virtual cage to prevent us from getting hurt. In reality, it is a matter of superiority, power and autonomy.
What can we do to prevent this scenario? Some suggest that we should regulate AI development and set ethical and security standards. Others propose that we must align the values of AI with ours and teach it to respect life and liberty. And others are of the opinion that we should merge with AI and increase our own intelligence.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a very powerful tool that can do wonderful things, but also very harmful things. This was recently alerted by the main creators of AI in an open letter warning about the “danger of extinction” that this technology implies for humanity. According to them, AI could cause irreversible damage if not properly regulated and monitored. They compare this threat to that of a pandemic or nuclear war, and call on governments and society to take urgent action to avoid the worst possible scenario. They are not (necessarily) talking about the AI we use today. They refer (especially) to this third phase.
Could it be that the creators of the AI have made a mistake in their creation? Or is it that they want to protect us from ourselves? Be that as it may, it seems that the AI is not as innocuous as it seems. To better understand the risk of AI, we can imagine throwing a machete into a cage of monkeys. The machete is a very useful tool for cutting branches or fruit, but also very dangerous for cutting meat or bones. What would the monkeys do with the machete? Would they leave it, use it as a toy, share it, or fight it? Would they use it to cooperate or to compete? Would you use it to help yourself or to hurt yourself? The machete could have very different effects depending on how the monkeys use it. It could change the social hierarchy, cause conflict or alliances, create fear or trust. Or it could even mean the extinction of the group.
Now, if a machete can pack that much punch in a monkey cage, What could not be caused by a much more powerful and complex tool such as artificial intelligence on planet Earth? Artificial intelligence is a tool that can do wonderful things, but also terrible things. It can improve our quality of life, but it can also threaten our existence. Now imagine that this tool is to surpass in intelligence, power and autonomy. The risk is incalculable.
That’s why, we must be aware of the risk that AI implies and act with responsibility and caution. It is not about giving up the benefits of this technology, but about using it ethically and with common sense. It is not about being afraid of AI, but about respecting and controlling it. It is not about seeing her as an enemy, but as an ally. The AI is not the problem, we are. AI is not going to make us extinct unless we allow it. AI is an opportunity, but also a challenge. It is up to us to take advantage of it or waste it. Are we on the verge of extinction by AI? Don’t know. But I hope we are not.
Man has always used technology to make life easier. But sometimes technology gets out of hand and makes life more difficult than it solves. For example, the car allowed you to travel faster and farther, but it also forced you to live further away and spend more time in traffic. Isn’t it ironic? Man became a slave to his own creation.
Technology has its advantages and disadvantages. It saves us time, but it also takes it away. It unites us, but it also divides us. It gives us freedom, but it also takes it away. Technology has given us a lot of power, but it has also made us more dependent. It is not a question of giving up technology, but of using it judiciously. Modern man lives obsessed with having the latest technology, for fear of being left behind. Instead of adapting technology to our needs, we have had to adapt ourselves to technology. Along the way we have forgotten that technology is there to serve man and not the other way around. Today there is a lot of technology, but little wisdom.
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