The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Cybernetics

Science fiction has, for many years, looked to a future in which robots are intelligent and
cyborgs are commonplace. The Terminator, The Matrix, Blade Runner and I, Robot are all good
examples of this vision.

But until the last decade, consideration of what this might actually mean in the future was
unnecessary because it was all science fiction, not scientific reality. Now, however, science has
not only done some catching up; its also introduced practicalities that the original story lines
didnt appear to include (and, in some cases, still dont include).

What we consider here are several different experiments linking biology and technology
together in a cybernetic wayessentially ultimately combining humans and machines in a
relatively permanent merger.

When we typically first think of a robot, we regard it simply as a machine. We tend to

think that it might be operated remotely by a human, or that it may be controlled by a simple
computer program.

But what if the robot has a biological brain made up of brain cells, possibly even human
neurons? Neurons grown under laboratory conditions on an array of non-invasive electrodes
provide an attractive alternative with which to realize a new form of robot controller. In the near
future, we will see thinking robots with brains not very dissimilar to those of humans.

That development will raise many social and ethical questions. For example, if the robot
brain has roughly the same number of human neurons as a typical human brain, then could it, or
should it, have rights similar to those of a person? Also, if such robots have far more human
neurons than in a typical human brainfor example, a million times more neuronswould they,
rather than humans, make all future decisions?

Many human braincomputer interfaces are used for therapeutic purposes to overcome
medical or neurological problems, with one example being the deep brain stimulation (DBS)
electrodes used to relieve the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. However, even here its possible
to consider using such technology in ways that would give people abilities that humans dont
normally possessin other words, human enhancement. In some cases, those who have
undergone amputations or suffered spinal injuries due to accidents may be able to regain control
of devices via their still-functioning neural signals.

Meanwhile, stroke patients can be given limited control of their surroundings, as indeed
can those who have motor neurone disease. With those cases, the situation isnt straightforward,
as patients receive abilities that normal humans dont havefor example, the ability to move a
cursor on a computer screen using nothing but neural signals.

Its clear that connecting a human brain with a computer network via an implant could, in
the long term, open up the distinct advantages of machine intelligence, communication, and
sensing abilities to the individual receiving the implant. Currently, obtaining the go-ahead for
each implantation requires ethical approval from the local authority governing the hospital where
the procedure is performed. But looking ahead, its quite possible that commercial influences,
coupled with societal wishes to communicate more effectively and perceive the world in a richer
form, will drive market desire.

For some, braincomputer interfaces are perhaps a step too far just nowparticularly if
the approach means tampering directly with the brain. As a result, the most studied brain
computer interface to date is that involving electroencephalography (EEG). While EEG
experimentation is relatively cheap, portable, and easy to set up, its still difficult to see its
widespread future use. It certainly has a role to play in externally assessing some aspects of brain
functioning for medical purposes. However, the idea of people driving around while wearing
skullcap of electrodes, with no need for a steering wheel, doesnt seem realistic. Completely
autonomous vehicles are much more likely.

Such experimental cases indicate how humansand animals, for that mattercan merge
with technology. That, in turn, generates a plethora of social and ethical considerations as well as
technical issues. Thats why its vital to include a sense of reflection so that the additional
experimentation well now witness will be guided by the informed feedback that results.