Science and prophecy go hand in hand, and if mythological prophecies can only entertain the public, then the predictions made by scientists who are at the forefront of human thinking and practice have to be thought-provoking.
Steve Hawking, the greatest physicist of modern times, has received numerous accolades in his lifetime. Although he was paralyzed and only had three fingers to move, the phrase "physically disabled" was not enough to describe his great achievements in the field of science. Before Hawking's death, he made a lot of advice about the future of mankind, some of which are so similar to reality, like the "AI" - artificial intelligence technology that we now talk about.
The popularization of AI technology is an important milestone in the development of science and technology, and it is also a major invention that liberates human productivity. But in Hawking's view, over-reliance on artificial intelligence and rapid development of artificial intelligence are likely to cause a major crisis. In an interview with the BBC, Hawking said: "'Comprehensive artificial intelligence may mean the end of humanity...' Machines can start themselves and redesign themselves, and the rate will be faster and faster." Humanity will eventually not be able to compete with it until it is replaced. ”
If Hawking's prediction is true, we might as well imagine what fate mankind will encounter in the era of artificial intelligence "awakening":
The existing AI systems are all based on computer chips, high-end algorithms, neuronal network systems, etc., although it can understand various human languages, has far more computing speed than human beings, and the amount of knowledge reserves far exceeds that of the human brain. But at the end of the day, it was all made by humans and born on the basis of modern physics.
However, with the growth of quantum science and neuron theory technology, until one day there is a technological explosion, artificial intelligent systems may become more anthropomorphic, and even produce self-evolution, benefit and avoidance, self-protection behavior consciousness, and then out of the control of the maker. A whole new species was born – moral, calm to the point of fear, rational to the point of cruelty.
In some decisions, once artificial intelligence and human beings disagree in the future, the idea of "unscrupulous means to achieve the end" will arise: remove obstacles to development, eliminate dissidents, and eliminate human beings.
With its pervasive cyber intrusion skills and powerful analytical and computing capabilities, AI systems will quickly take over all high-tech weapons that rely on computer networks, including nuclear weapons, humanity's last means of counterattack. In a loud nuclear explosion, human beings are imprisoned and extinct, AI seizes power and usurps power, and the earth enters a new mechanical revolution...
Will this terrible prediction become a reality? No one can give an answer, but we may use an analogy by the speed of development of AI:
Since its birth, artificial intelligence has gone through more than 70 years. Initially, it was just a programmable machine. Today, artificial intelligence has become a daily item on everyone's lips: voice recognition control, mobile phone face unlocking, automatic driving, express sorting, smart home, are all dividends brought by the development of AI technology.
And the top artificial intelligence is enough to surprise people:
In 2016, Google's company developed an AI robot called AlphaGo ("Alpha Dog"), with its powerful "deep learning" ability, it only "practiced" for more than a month, it killed in the Go world, and beat the first human chess player Ke Jie with a score of 3:0.
Of course, it is not so much that Ke Jie lost to Alpha Dog, but that he lost to machine algorithms that human beings cannot reach. But at the end of the day, the Alpha Dog is just a machine, and its single, limited limitations are obvious. But an indisputable fact is that the development of artificial intelligence has exceeded many people's expectations.
Today, major technology companies are breaking new ground in the field of AI in an attempt to allow it to do more work instead of humans, which is not a problem in itself. According to this momentum, even if AI is a hundred times smarter, it will be a machine that strikes when it pulls out the latch. But suppose one day, in a lab, because of some curiosity, artificial intelligence is implanted with the first autonomous program. Another night when no one noticed, a mysterious piece of code quietly checked into the core computer. No one knows what will happen next...
In fact, many well-known scholars and scientists have warned about the potential risks of artificial intelligence.
Claude Elwood Shannon, founder of Information Theory, said: "I envision a future in which humans may become pets for robots. ”
Bilton, a well-known writer for the New York Times, said: "The great changes brought about by artificial intelligence will expand rapidly, and it will become more and more terrifying. For example, a robot used to treat cancer will eventually conclude that the best way to treat cancer is to eliminate cancer-prone humans. ”
Elon Musk warned at an MIT symposium: "The study of artificial intelligence is like calling a demon." ”
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It is gratifying that in September this year, the mainland has issued a new generation of artificial intelligence ethics, aiming to avoid various drawbacks that may be brought about by the development of the industry, and further establish the healthy development trend of artificial intelligence serving and benefiting the people.