© by Mark Ollig
On Nov. 10, 2010, I wrote a column about robots exhibiting intelligence similar to humans.
At that time, scientists and engineers from NASA and General Motors collaborated to create an advanced and versatile humanoid robot for use in the aerospace and automotive sectors.
NASA was interested in robots that could work side-by-side with humans and further assist in space activities with less danger to astronauts.
Robonaut 2 (R2) is NASA’s humanoid robot with a friendly appearance, a unique eye-vision system, and flexible arms, each capable of lifting 20 pounds. Its hands, fingers, and thumbs are designed to mimic human movements.
On Feb. 24, 2011, the crew of the space shuttle Discovery brought R2 to the International Space Station (ISS), where it is currently used in the Destiny Laboratory.
The word “robot” originated from the Czech term “robotnik,” meaning servant.
Czech writer Karel Čapek first used the word “robot” in 1920 when writing about artificial humanoids in his stage play “Rossum’s Universal Robots.”
“Rossum’s Universal Robots” had its world premiere Jan. 25, 1921, at the Czech National Theater in Prague, Czechia (Czech Republic).
The New York Sunday Newspaper announced Oct. 9, 1922, that “Rossum’s Universal Robots” had been introduced in the US with a live three-act play at the Garrick Theatre in New York.
The story begins at RUR (Rossum’s Universal Robots), a global distribution factory manufacturing humanoid robots to replace human laborers.
Čapek’s play portrays a future where robots become the primary workforce.
In his exploration of the RUR factory, he examines the power dynamics involving the exertion of influence, control, and authority when the robots gain awareness of their forced labor.
In the theatrical play’s opening scene, Helena Glory visits the RUR plant.
Helena assumes the factory’s secretary is human until the manager informs her that the secretary and the rest of the factory workers are robots.
The robots are considered “merely cogs in the labor machine,” generating wealth for the factory owners.
During the next ten years, RUR developed robots with artificial intelligence mimicking the human brain.
As time passes, the robots’ increasing intelligence leads them to realize that their primary function is to work for and be under the control of humans.
It’s probably not surprising, but the robots deemed the situation unacceptable and began “eradicating” the humans.
The robots in Čapek’s play had achieved an intelligence beyond AI (artificial intelligence) and more like AGI (artificial general intelligence).
Future AGI systems will have human-like cognitive abilities, common-sense reasoning, and creativity matching or exceeding human intelligence.
AI mimics human cognitive abilities using training data sets and supervised learning, but it can only perform specific tasks that are already programmed.
While still the stuff of computer science’s future, AGI will go beyond AI abilities, possessing autonomous cognitive capabilities matching or surpassing those of humans in problem-solving and critical thinking.
Not long ago, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates praised ChatGPT as one of the most groundbreaking technological advancements he has ever seen.
I wrote about ChatGPT, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tool. It can have interactive conversations, similar to standard chatbots, but with a significant difference.
ChatGPT’s responses to questions are much more detailed, and its interactive conversations are like those with another person. In addition, it uses sophisticated algorithmic technology to generate its responses, making it an advanced form of AI chat.
As artificial intelligence technology advances, it becomes increasingly integrated into our everyday lives.
Countries like the US, China, Russia, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and Israel are rushing to develop, build, and employ advanced AI technologies.
AI holds immense potential for benefiting humanity. However, responsible and ethical development and oversight are essential to ensure everyone can equally reap its benefits.
The future of artificial general intelligence, AGI, is expected to bring a highly advanced and sophisticated intelligence system. AGI will be able to comprehend, learn, and utilize knowledge and reasoning across various situations, much like human intelligence.
According to experts, if we successfully develop AGI, it could lead to a concept called “Technological Singularity.”
Technological Singularity refers to a scenario where artificial intelligence becomes self-aware and operates independently, surpassing human intellect and capabilities.
While Technological Singularity is still just a theoretical concept, it is understandable future generations will have concerns, anxiety, and fear regarding the possibility of artificial intelligence technology taking control over their lives.
I am reminded of the “Star Trek” 1968 television episode “The Ultimate Computer,” where a super-intelligent computer known as the M-5 takes control of the USS Enterprise and goes on an interstellar rampage destroying starships and ore freighters.
Fortunately, the Enterprise crew managed to “pull the plug” on the M-5.
Technological Singularity will be a paradigm shift when artificial intelligence reaches a stage where it transforms human existence, pushing our abilities beyond our current understanding.
Today’s AI is only the beginning; we have just scratched the surface of what may come.
