The Future
Still, AI could potentially benefit and propel humanity to the future— a possibility which Musk and Hawking acknowledge, stating that “the eradication of disease and poverty are not unfathomable” (Live Science). AI’s ability to comprehend could allow it to serve humans in more ways than its current uses. Google’s pet project, Google Brain, which trained itself to recognize cats, lends a glimpse into the potential of what AI could truly do for humanity. “It’s critical that businesses commit to develop responsible AI systems that are aligned to moral and ethical values that will empower people to do what they do best— imagine, create, and innovate,” says Accenture’s Paul Daugherty, a chief technology and innovation officer. With AI, a future with easy access to information, self driving cars, elderly and emergency assistance, and even companionship are all possibilities.
As AI and the world around us continues to develop, so will Alpha’s capability. Next Touch hopes to expand Alpha’s physical capabilities, so that it can perform such fine motor tasks as knitting, using a screwdriver, or uncapping a medicine bottle. Alpha’s assistance around the house will no longer be limited by its finger coordination and spatial awareness. As a companion, Next Touch hopes to grow Alpha’s ability to read and respond to emotions. Following in the wake of Sophia, Next Touch hopes to advance Alpha’s ability to learn from its interactions with people, so that Alpha’s behaviors become increasingly more realistic and autonomous. Next Touch is also collaborating with other leaders in technological research to ensure that Alpha is trained and competent in the newest forms of technology. Our current work focuses on holograms, and Alpha’s ability to interact with them. As technology quickly bypasses generations, Alpha will help older human companions take advantage of the newest forms of technology.
Shimon Whiteson, an associate professor at the Informatics Institute at the University of Amsterdam, questions the line between humanity and computers. “I think the human and the computer are really, really quickly becoming one tightly-coupled cognitive unit,” he explains. He dreams of being able to program calculators into human brains, and hardware memory storage within our own minds. Each person would have a much greater level of productivity. However, he addresses the security issues of brains becoming hackable just like a computer. He also considers that the rich may be the only people able to afford brain augmentations. How would society respond if only some people are able to enhance their minds?
With a growing elderly population, it is easy to see the potential for robots to help elderly people retain their mobility and senses. For example, robotic exoskeletons may allow people to continue walking and lifting objects by offering an autonomous support system. Computers that are able to sense sounds and sight could be used to help elderly people hear and see. Finally, computer memory could help reduce the effects of Dementia and Alzheimer’s in elderly people. Thomas Dietterich, the President of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, relates his hopes for the future with the present. “We already see this (assistance) in many applications of AI - I’m smarter when I have access to Google.”
What if one person could read every book ever written? And retain all of that information? Computers have that ability. But what if the computer could also understand that information? And use it to draw new conclusions? Now AI steps in. Eventually, AI could help solve the massive issues plaguing humans, which have no definitive or easy answer. Stuart Russell, a computer scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, considers the potential of AI to cure diseases, or to solve the issue of global warming.