Gr.

5 – WHY DOES THE FUTURE DOES NOT NEED US

GUIAO, JOHN MOSES L.
GUNDAYA, ANGELYN L.

Can you imagine a future without the human race? Is there any possibility that non-
humans and machines can change people? Do you agree that this thought or ideas will come
when human existence will be at the mercy of non-humans and machines?

For some, imagining a future without human is nearly synonymous to the end of world.
Many choose not to speculate about a future where humans cease to exist while the world
remains.

In April 2000, William Nelson joy, an American computer scientist and chief scientist of
Sun Microsystems, wrote an article for Wired magazine entitled “Why the future doesn’t need
us?” In his article, Joy warned against the rapid rise of new technologies.

Joy argued that robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology pose much greater
threats than technological developments that have come before. He particularly cited the
ability of nanorobots to self-replicate, which could quickly get out of control.

Joy also voiced out his apprehension about the rapid increase of computer power. He
was also concerned that computers were eventually become more intelligent than humans,
thus ushering societies into dystopian visions such as robot rebellions.

Since the publication of the article, Joy’s arguments against 21 st century technologies
have received both criticisms and expression of shared concern. Critics dismissed Joy’s article
for deliberately presenting information in an imprecise manner that obscures the larger picture.

As a material, Joy’s article tackles the unpleasant and uncomfortable possibilities that a
senseless approach to scientific and technological advancements may bring. Whether Joy’s
propositions are real possibility or an absolute moon shoot.

SUPER-INTELLIGENT MACHINES
Technological Singularity
• The hypothetical future emergence of greater-than-human super-intelligence through
technological means.
• An intellectual event horizon

Hindrances of Super-Intelligent Machines

• Limited understanding of how the human brain works
• Advancements in technology and other fields could overcome such barriers

Advancements in Nanotechnology
• Carbon nanotubes showing promise for many medical applications.
– Kanzius Machine
• Nanobots in R&D stage
– Potential medical breakthroughs
 – Interaction with biological systems
– Possible future use to reverse-engineer brain

Raymond Kurzweil
• American inventor and futurist
• Predicts machines will be more intelligent than humans in the near future

The Singularity is Near (2005)

2020s: Nanobot use in medical field
2029: First computer passes Turning test
2045: Singularity

Bill Joy
• Cofounder of Sun Microsystems

Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us (2000)

• Possible dangers of increasingly advancing technologies
– genetics, nanotechnology and robotics
• Argues machines will eventually become smarter than us, creating a dystopia

Existential Risk
• The first super-intelligent machine would be programmed by error prone humans.

Robots are People Too?

• If machines think and act like a human, should they be considered human?
• Is it moral to give machines human values and emotions?
• If a super-intelligent robot committed a crime, is the programmer to blame?

Morally Sound A.I.

• Artificial intelligence projects which help us to live our lives better or more efficiently are
morally sound
• Overcoming disease, genetics, and famine with technology

In Conclusion
• Less than super-intelligent A.I. to date
• Theory of technological singularity
• Advancements in nanoscience could advance neuroscience
• Risks of developing super-intelligent machines
• Moral / Ethical Issues
• Morally sound A.I.