THE PROBLEM OF MACHINE INTELLIGENCE

I thought Id share some of my thinking regarding Machine Intelligence. As you

may see, I prefer to use the term Machine Intellignce over that of Artificial
Intelligence. It is because I consider the term Artificial Intelligence to be too
General of a term. I think it lacks the specificity of an Inteligent Machine.
What do I mean by that?
Well, to my understanding, Artificial Intelligence may mean more than just an
Intelligent Machine. Something Articial is something that is man-made.This
something can be made by one person or a group of people. And when that entity
that is being made can process information, evaluate situations and make decision,
this entity becomes intelligent. This is what we refer to as an Artificial Intelligence.
This seems to be what the term suggest.
Following that simpe understanding, one can easily say that the NSA constitute an
Artifical Intelligence. So do the CIA, the FBI, the DEA, the Rosicrucians, the
Illuminati, etc..
They all constitute a single entity with particualr opinion and world-view
decision making process, data-analysis (patter recognition). This qualify that single
entity that they are as Intelligent. Being man-made makes them Artificial. Ergo, we
have different Artificial Intelligences. What we need to consider is not this kind of
Artifical Intelligence, but that which is concerned with computation and machines.
Therefore, I simply call it Machine Intelligence, or in some other occasions
Intelligent Machine.
I can sincerely say that when I think of Intelligent Machine, I cant help but to
think of a few of my favorite moviesmovies like: The Matrix, Terminator and
Colossus (a classic). I am sure some fo you do too. Even right now as I am writing
this, some people are concerned with the idea of Intelligent Machines. What if
were in the process of manufacturing our own doom? What if were working
toward doomsday? What if that which is referred to as The Singularity should be
termed Doomsday instead? They have a concer that these Intelligent Machines
amy not have our best interest in mind.

Why this thinking?

In movies, usually, the machines see us as inferior---even irrelevant, or simply the
biggest problem of the planet. Without Humans, the thinking goes, Earth would be
a peacuful planet. (Im not quite sure if I disagree with that). Of course, in other
versions, the thinking is simply that we lack structure and that they are more
qualify to provide that structure. (Again, Im not quite sure I disagree). The
problem is: Were not quite good at being led. Perhaps its egoIm not sure. But,
we certainly dont see ourselves as pets for the machines. However, were quite
willing to have some of ours. Those life forms we consider inferior to us can be
used as food and pets. If course, we dont need to worry about Intelligent Machines
using us as food supplies. We do, however, thinks they might decide to consider us
pets ( not the kind of loving relation we sometimes have with our pets, but
something more like a necessary evil). They might decide to keep us around
because they need us for the time being. Once they no longer need us, what then?
While I have to say that this is an interesting concern, I cant help but think that we
have no idea what an Intelligent Machine (capable of Self-Maintenance and SefConfiguration) would. We simply cant think on that level. All we can do right now
is speculate. Indeed, this is just what Im doing here.
What makes us think that an Intelligent Machine would come to such conclusion
regarding us? What makes us think they would have any concern for us? What I
mean by that is: What makes us think they would even think about us? (This, of
course, brings other concerns that I will mention later). Why should an Advanced
Intelligence think this way? Shouldnt their higher Intelligence allow them to
arrive at better conclusions? Then again, whats a better conclusion for an
Intelligent Machine? Better for who? At last, can we actually create that kind of
Intelligence?
I shall now try to answer these questions in different order. I will explain my
thinking process, and invite you to embark with me in this adventure.

What makes us think an Intelligent Machine would come to such a conclusion

regarding us?
I am going to venture a bit here and say its most likely because of our own
behavior. After all, what is the highest form of Intelligence were familiar with on
Earth? Its us. And have we not seen how we usually solve problems? When
something is considered an obstacle to us or some form of a nuisance, we often
rely on violence to remove the obstacle or stop the nuisance. If we, as much
intelligent as we think ourselves to be, can have such violent behaviorand,
however advanced we think we are, still rely on violence, should we not think the
same of these Intelligent Machines?
I can understand this thinking, to a certain degree. However, I still think it wrong to
assume that we can know in any way what an Intelligent Machine would be
thinking and what kind of solution it might come up with. After all, were talking
about an Intelligence that can see and process way more information than we can
even consider. Such an intelligence can see all particular scenariosevaluate its
options, and choose that which that is most beneficial.
Actually, maybe not. Maybe this is not the way it will go about it. Im thinking that
an Intelligent Machine may not have any beneficial need because such machine
would not have an Ego. But, should I consider this further, there is another
possibility here..and, perhaps, more than one.
We suppose that this Intelligent Machine is human-level intelligent. That would
also imply that such Machine Intelligence has a Consciousness. (I will be
exploring the idea of consciousness another time). What that also means (in my
mind) is that this intelligence is quite aware of its own existence---which means its
aware of the Self. Therefore, saying that it does not have an Ego may not be
the best way to go about it. That does not, however, mean that this machine will be
egocentric. (Lets hope not).
This Intelligent Machine, as I now come to see it, should possibly see all different
possibilities, evaluate these possibilities and choose the option that leads to the
most efficient outcome.