Artificial Intelligence Essay: Threat of Extinction of the Human Race

Will the Advancement of Self-Regulating Artificial Intelligence Lead to Human Extinction?

Introduction

With the development of computer science, the technologies which by their abilities and intelligence approach the level of the human brain have become an inherent part of contemporary society. The concept of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most discussed topics in mass media, and even among scientists. Nowadays, there are many spheres in which AI is used.

Among them are the healthcare sector and high-risk factories. Each year, scientists demonstrate many new capacities of AI which can perform the functions which are impossible for people. As a result, there are concerns that AI can reach the highest point of its development and lead to human extinction. However, these fears should not be taken seriously. AI is regulated by people, and currently there are no technologies more powerful than the human brain. AI can lead to the transformation of society (which is currently observed) but not to extinction, as people remain the most powerful creatures on the planet.

Advantages and Disadvantages of AI

There are thousands of various points of view which say that AI can lead to the destruction of the planet and even human extinction. But all of these assumptions should be interpreted critically. The fears about the threatening power of AI was generated by science fiction and movies, which describe the machine revolts and their establishment as the only power in the world. Among such films, there are Blade Runner, Surrogates, Terminator, I, Robot, and many others. Such fears are aggravated by the conclusion of such scientists as Russell, Dewey, and Tegmark, who claimed in their investigation that when people lose their control over AI, it will become “more dangerous than nuclear weapons” (p. 107). But it is necessary to remember that AI is often controlled by people, and it may lead to destruction only “if the control of machines drives in the incorrect manner” (Saranya and Phil 314). In such a way, everything depends on human desire and the way in which people operate the capacities of AI.

Today, people must understand that the development of AI cannot be stopped because of its beneficial factors for people in various spheres. Some scientists underline that it is necessary to coordinate the work of people with the possibilities of AI. Thus, speaking about the value of AI, Mijwel underlined that “as the world becomes more complex, we need to leverage our human resources and high-quality computer systems help” (p. 1). It is crucial to understand the value of AI and positive outcomes which it brings to humanity. Despite its power, AI has no capacity to lead to human extinction because it can not think autonomously as people do. AI performs functions which are laid down by the program. Also, it has no ability of creative thinking, which is characteristic for human beings. It is impossible to create some things which are more potent than the human brain because not all the parts and functions of the human brain are investigated and understood. In such a way, those uninvestigated capacities of the mind will not allow the AI to lead to human extinction.

Conclusion

As it can be seen, AI is an inherent part of the contemporary world and will remain such for a long time. It is due to the benefits which it brings to people in various spheres of their activities. However, it can be a weapon against people as well, especially when it appears in the wrong hands. But in any case, AI will not lead to human extinction because there are no things in the world which can approach the power of the human brain. Moreover, it was the human brain that created the AI and improved it every time. People must not be afraid of the idea that machines can completely destroy people and lead to their extinction.

Works Cited

Mijwel, Maad M. “History of Artificial Intelligence.” Computer Science, College of Science, Apr. 2015, pp. 1–5.
Russell, Stuart, et al. “Research Priorities for Robust and Beneficial Artificial Intelligence.” AI Magazine, vol. 36, no. 4, 2015, p. 105., doi:10.1609/aimag.v36i4.2577.
Saranya, D., and M. Phil. “A Study on Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications.” International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, vol. 5, no. 4, 2016, pp. 313–315., doi:doi: 10.17148/IJARCCE.2016.5480.