Religion and artificial intelligence. Two fascinating topics of conversation, two equally terrifying realities. This article from the Independent, written by technology editor Andrew Griffin, combines the two in an article written about the recent advances in AI technology.
My coursework this year centres around technology, science and the future, and this article seemed like a perfect introduction to this year's blogging analysis (and a possible source to be quoted in my research investigation). The quote in question is from Elon Musk, a pioneer in groundbreaking technology worth $21.3 billion dollars as of August 2017, whose current projects include building a hundred-megawatt lithium ion battery, developing an 'underground hyperloop' connecting Washington DC to New York and distributing clean-energy Tesla cars (some of which are self-driving) across the US. For a man who has given his life and soul to technology, his words are unsettling.
I think we should be very careful about artificial intelligence. If I had to guess at what our biggest existential threat is, it’s probably that. So we need to be very careful with artificial intelligence. I’m increasingly inclined to think that there should be some regulatory oversight, maybe at the national and international level, just to make sure that we don’t do something very foolish. With artificial intelligence we’re summoning the demon.
To balance out the sensible words of Mr Musk, the article announces the founding of an organisation called Way of the Future. Led by Anthony Levandowski, the man responsible for Google's first self-driving car, the non-profit religious organisation 'appears to be something like a church devoted to the worship of artificial intelligence'. Griffin writes a sardonic account of the announcement with what little details have been released to the public - we're not even sure if the 'robot God' even exists yet - using a mocking tone and the stark contrast between Levandowski and Musk to express his cynicism of the new organisation. Though the details of the article are mostly factual, the simple introduction to the piece - 'Silicon Valley engineers are worshipping robots as gods' - sets up a narration just as ridiculous as its opening sentence.
This article intrigued me due to its title - since the late 19th century the key concepts of science and religion have been at war with each other (thanks, vague Sociology knowledge) so to see them together, along with the recognisable company name, was of immediate interest. Personally, although I know AI is, and will continue to be, a valuable development in our society, I can't help agreeing with Musk as to the dangers of artificial intelligence - especially not when robots are creating their own language to communicate, sex robots are in development and films like I, Robot keep being released and fuelling my nightmares.
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