We’ve all seen the sci-fi movies which spell the end of human existence due to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence [AI]. But could the extinction of the human race actually happen because of our love of technology? Will the technology of the future be so advanced that it will duly see humans as just an inferior entity, and want rid of us? Let’s examine the evidence so far …

Leading scientists across the globe believe and agree that the technology for creating Artificial Intelligence will have become a reality within fifty years. Machines that can think for themselves, sort out problems unassisted, are already in daily use today – we call them computers. Of course, you don’t actually believe it’s true, and I don’t blame you for thinking this way, yet consider this – have you ever wondered how your PC knows when there’s a program “Not Responding” and has closed the program down? After all, it wasn’t you that first spotted the problem, was it? It wasn’t you that closed down the program, it was your PC thinking for itself that did the job! Now that’s a very simple form of AI working in your favour, and every single one of us is grateful for it.

Now let’s assume we have gone forward in time and that our PC’s are now Super Intelligent Computers [SIC]. A keyboard is no longer necessary as they all use voice response output using synthesised speech, which means we can tell the PC exactly what we need it to do. With AI running on your PC, the workload you give it will automatically be processed which will leave you plenty of spare time to do other things, like go for a round of golf or two. It sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? But as we all know, personal slaves can get a touch fed up at times and can revolt. And with your PC being far superior in the intelligence department, you’re going to lose every argument!

Before we can even consider building Super Intelligent Computers we need to reassure ourselves that AI will do us no harm – we have to make AI human friendly. And just in case this doesn’t work, we need a failsafe program that will immediately close down upon a hostile response to its administrator [the person in charge of the machine]. Okay, so far so good. Unless, that is, our PC is infected with a virus which is beyond our control, and all hell breaks loose. We’ve got to consider the awful fact that any intelligent entity can be corrupted to some extent, though by how much is yet unknown. I guess we’ll find out when the Super Intelligent Computer is created.

Nanotechnology is another thing we ought to be concerned about creating as these tiny machines, though possibly beneficial to our advancement, could also be looked upon as a health warning. We’ve all watched the TV sci-fi series Stargate SG-1 and witnessed the havoc that renegade nanobots can do. The stark truth is, scientists are well on schedule developing nanotechnology and within our lifetime will have created the first prototype nanobots to build the first Super Intelligent Computer.

I realise that what you have just read sounds a little too much like science fiction and you doubt what I’ve said is the truth. It’s up to you to decide if this article is fact, or fiction. Only time will tell, my friend …