“AI”… of humanity!
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Several years ago, you may recall a post describing our growing reliance on machines, devices, and “AI.” On several occasions, I have tried to raise awareness of this phenomenon of artificial intelligence’s abilities to create and/or recreate itself… over and over again. What was once a ‘science fiction’ story has become, in vivid color, science fact.
The article, “Device Machine Dependent”, has described instances and descriptions where robots or robotics have been designed to emulate the actions, abilities, and appearance(s) of humanity… “Human-Like”; “The image of its creator!”
How many times have you been in your car and engaged in a shouting match or argumentative interaction with your ‘GPS’ or “on-board interface”? Aw, come on now… haven’t you gotten angry and yelled at the device when the voice behind it gives you wrong or wrong directions? Sure you have.
Selene Yeager, a contributing author, spoke about a doctoral student at Stanford University who specializes in Human-Technology Interaction.
“We (humans) get confused and angry because we don’t know what the ‘GPS’ is ‘thinking,'” says David Miller.
However, this author (yours truly) is and has been guilty of that particular type of behavior. I can remember typing in an address (when that was unsuccessful, I tried to turn on the voice command option), the damn thing told me; he directed me to take a freeway and get out… I followed his lead. When I realized that the directions were totally wrong, the cursed voice put us on “The highway to hell!”
We traveled sixty miles out and away from our planned destination “Pocono Mountain”.
Well, I’m here to tell you that I momentarily (Oh, like so many) went crazy and started yelling at the voice inside the ‘GPS system’. Miller went on to say, “In the future, when your GPS gives you directions, it can give you a reason, so you have a better two-way relationship.”
…Yes of course. I am happy when and if the thing takes me to my unknown destination(s)… via the correct route! I don’t want to be too hard on the device…it’s a pretty good little tool when it works as expected.
“A Bite Of The Apple” addressed the ‘IT’ community on big issues related to Apple’s stance on “proprietary and covert practices” in the world of technology; hardware and software, particularly its hardware products. Apple ‘IT’ decision makers defend an ergonomic flaw that reveals a preference. They have said that form over function is “Apple-like”, meaning the iMAC connectors on the back of their machines are designed and/or decided by anal retention.
Your ‘IT’ management team describes one possible meaning of ‘anal retention’. It is a point on a curve where the curvature changes from convex to concave or vice versa. It can also be called “Flex Point” or “Inflection Point”. Apple management says its proprietary devices are having more of an effect on marketing business users. Apple devices are making their way into the enterprise arena because ‘IT’ managers like them, not users.
The ‘end user’ report emphasizes the fact, suggesting that the products are equally good and excellent in terms of ease of use, design and reliability. Does anyone remember the definition of cloning?
Many of us have PCs in our homes today. And there are many others who feel they are and believe they are one step ahead by using home robots like IBM’s “Alexa” or “Watson” and a myriad of cloned devices that clean, monitor and coordinate their daily lives or lifestyles.
Where is your cell phone?
It used to be the desktop computer that was the central ‘Internet’ connection. Then it was the ‘Laptop’. The “tablet” is still popular these days, but the “smart phone” dwarfs them all. All one has to do is simply look around…Look and see how many people walk, run, ride, drive and fly…depending on these continuously inalienable devices to sustain their existence and their very lives on this planet
Not long ago, a vicious computer virus took over some 400,000 computers in more than 160 countries in one of the worst international cyber attacks and computer infections.
The virus blocked all access to programs, files, mainframes, and networks unless the owners of the computer paid a ransom. Eligible funds could only be paid out via “Bitcoin”.
Bitcoin is an online currency that is almost impossible to trace. Bitcoin currency is exchanged for the purchase of a “rescue key”. Victims have often paid the money only to not get the key to unlock their computers (or) systems, losing both their money and their data.
This incident should serve as an important wake-up call to users with highly recommended “must do” procedures on PCs and Internet devices in their care or use and the prevention of viruses, botnets, web trackers, malware, worms, etc.
I certainly agree with the author, Doug Shadel, in suggesting that users/owners regularly back up their important files to an external drive or remote storage service; have a pop-up blocker running in your web browser at all times; instantly leave the websites you have been routed to without your consent; use a reliable antivirus program, keeping it up to date at all times; make sure your software (and antivirus software) is up to date; don’t click on links or open attachments from email addresses you don’t know; and buy only legitimate software and register it.
Do you remember the scene in the movie “Star Wars”, where the waiter yells at ‘Luke Skywalker’ to get his androids out of his establishment?
That scene is the result of human prejudice against machines or robots. The auto industry and workforce in Detroit, Michigan is run almost entirely by robots (or robotics). Robots are performing important operations on humans and animals alike. Robots prepare food, pack and ship items, drive cars, and diagnose human food and illness. The robots are answering phones and redirecting calls. The robots call you on your phones, remind you of overdue bills, appointments, prescription pickups, and try to upsell you products and other services. The robots are building bridges, buildings and houses. Robots are doing just about anything and everything a human or animal can and has been doing. Ask yourself… how many jobs have been and are being lost due to robots?
“Many companies use sentiment analysis to gauge mood on social media and/or the web… but gaining insight requires new tactics and skills,” said Techweb’s Doug Henschen.
“New tactics and skill sets are definitely needed to gain a foothold in the new world of IT, BI, communications and analytics.” This conclusion is posited through the published article, “Destruction and Creation: A Hyperbole of New Jobs.” No one can deny the massive and important changes that have occurred in the ‘New World Economy’ of this century. What will happen in the centuries to come? Will we be “like Star-Trek”? How about a world and future like “Logan’s Run”? Will robots become the new judges, lawyers, members of Congress, senators, or presidents? Those of us who are aware, interested and/or motivated in or towards the continuation of humanity’s reign over machines, must become masters of both sides of IT/BI.
AI: Artificial intelligence… contrasts with natural (human/animal) intelligence… the ability of a computer or robot to do what humans or animals normally or commonly do, with intelligence or intelligent abilities. ..the ability to think.
How long will it be before humans (the human species) are completely overtaken by the “AI”, fully and utterly becoming our replacements rather than our former servants?
“How long? Not long!”
Now, this argument doesn’t make you wonder…
“AI”… of the human species?
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Until next time…
‘GRAM’
