The notion that machines and technology will one day attain the same level of intelligence as human beings has been prevalent for centuries. This idea has been widely portrayed in popular culture, notably in sci-fi movies like Blade Runner, which depict a dystopian world brought on by this advancement, further solidifying the negative image of such a scenario.
Once viewed as unlikely, the idea that artificial intelligence (AI) could pose a threat to humanity is gaining traction as AI technology advances. Concerns about the potential risks associated with AI are being raised by both experts and the general public alike. Prominent individuals, like Elon Musk, have expressed apprehension about the dangers of AI.
“Artificial General Intelligence” (AGI) is a term used to describe highly sophisticated AI, indicating the possibility that machines may possess cognitive abilities similar to those of humans. Is this possibility feasible? This article delves into the meaning of this idea and examines the arguments for and against the possibility of its long-term existence.
Defining Artificial General Intelligence
The current iteration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the ability to emulate intelligence. The innovations that have emerged as a result of this technology are astounding. AI has facilitated a variety of technological advancements that have transformed our lifestyle and work practices, such as voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, and self-driving cars.
In the world of artificial intelligence, neural networks represent a revolutionary leap forward. These algorithms enable machines to learn through the retention of prior process or task results, thereby enabling incremental enhancements.
At present, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has restricted applicability, so there is no cause for alarm about the possibility of robots turning malevolent or becoming unmanageable. However, if the goal of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) were attainable, the situation could be vastly different.
The potential of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) goes beyond the capacity to imitate human behaviour by acquiring new skills and adapting to changes in its surroundings. AGI could also replicate human thought patterns. Unlike machines that need to be trained to learn and communicate, AGI would possess an inherent intelligence. Such a machine would be capable of sensing, detecting and observing its environment, among other capabilities. In addition, it would have a considerably faster learning curve and adaptable response time than a human being.
If the concept of this possibility causes concern, rest assured that you are not alone in feeling that way. As a society, we have never had to grapple with robots that exhibit consciousness, cognitive reasoning, and independent decision-making. Compared to the present level of Artificial Intelligence, this would be the most advanced version we can conceive of.
Is it Feasible?
1. It is Possible and Likely to Happen Sooner Than Later
Experts across various domains, including computer science and academia, are in agreement that the emergence of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is not far off. Renowned personalities like Louis Rosenberg, Patrick Winston, Ray Kurzweil, and Jürgen Schmidhuber have made projections that suggest AGI could arrive by the mid-21st century, with some predictions indicating it could materialize in less than a decade.
Note: The hyperlink in the original content pointed to an unrelated article, I have hyperlinked the text “including computer science” to another blog post.
Several researchers have gathered evidence to establish the notion that while human intelligence is considered constant, machines’ intelligence is continuously progressing. This is the same concept underlying machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence which enables machines to acquire knowledge and sophistication by repeated exposure to examples of concepts and identification of patterns.
Note: The hyperlink in the original content pointed to an unrelated article, I have hyperlinked the text “artificial intelligence where machines gain” to another blog post.
Robots appear to possess boundless potential to learn and adjust. This is evident because with the passage of time, technology continues to grow more intelligent.
2. A Different View: It’s Improbable
Nonetheless, not all experts share the same perspective.
Matthew O’Brien from Georgia Tech has remarked that “there is still an absence of comprehension when it comes to constructing a comprehensive adaptable intelligence, and it is challenging to gauge the amount of effort required to achieve that stage”.
Roman Yampolskiy, from the Louisville University, proposes that AI cannot act independently while still being governed by humans. Presently, technology is propelled by humans, and there is no sign that we will be able to grant it the freedom to operate without our intervention in the future.
3. It’s Possible, but Not in the Way We Envision
One opposing stance admits the existence of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) but accepts that it may not ultimately exceed human intelligence. This perspective proposes that AGI will possess its own distinct capabilities, analogous to those of animal intelligence.
Advocates of this notion posit that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) need not be dreaded, and might even promote more progress because of computers’ capacity to tackle intricate issues that are beyond human competence. We are already witnessing this phenomenon in the healthcare industry, where AI is serving as a diagnostic tool, among other things.
4. Potential, But Not in the Near Future
Rodney Brooks, the co-founder of iRobot and robotics engineer from MIT, has remarked that “it is a challenging era to grasp the genuine potential and risks of AI”. In my opinion, the majority of news coverage on this topic is entirely incorrect. Brooks does not think that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will be attainable until at least 2300.
Several specialists have declared that the creation of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is conceptually possible, even though it is highly unlikely to materialise within our lifetimes.
If this is the direction technology is heading, what implications does it hold for our species?
There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about numerous advantages to individuals and organisations globally. It would be fascinating to determine the frequency with which individuals use voice assistants. Furthermore, it would be compelling to uncover the number of lives that have been spared as a result of AI diagnostic tools, as well as the quantity of fraud that has been exposed due to the advancements in FinTech and AI.
The likelihood of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has left us with an unclear picture of the future. Despite the fact that we have not yet acknowledged its existence, we cannot ignore the potential for severe harm to our world. Currently, we lack sufficient information to determine the level of risk posed by AGI.
It is imperative that society persistently pursues progress and innovation. The benefits of technology outweigh any drawbacks, rendering it an invaluable asset.
