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The Sci-Fi Myth of Killer Machines

Posted by Soulskill on from the so-say-we-all dept.

malachiorion writes: "Remember when, about a month ago, Stephen Hawking warned that artificial intelligence could destroy all humans? It wasn't because of some stunning breakthrough in AI or robotics research. It was because the Johnny Depp-starring Transcendence was coming out. Or, more to the point, it's because science fiction's first robots were evil, and even the most brilliant minds can't talk about modern robotics without drawing from SF creation myths. This article on the biggest sci-fi-inspired myths of robotics focuses on R.U.R, Skynet, and the ongoing impact of allowing make-believe villains to pollute our discussion of actual automated systems."

4 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. It's not really a myth anymore by jzatopa · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We already use robots (or drones if you will) to kill people. It doesn't take much AI to have a program target a group of people as enemies and eradicate them. Just look at the AI of current video games. This is something that is affecting humanity today and that we need to discuss openly now.

    1. Re:It's not really a myth anymore by Gaygirlie · · Score: 5, Insightful

      We already use robots (or drones if you will) to kill people.

      That's what I was just coming here to say: robots and AI doesn't have to be evil as long as the people controlling the string are. It's as simple as that. And seemingly most of the people who have the resources to craft stuff like that and industrialize these things do quite a lot of evil things. So, basically, it's just a matter of time and research.

  2. Re:Way to long to read. by CanHasDIY · · Score: 5, Informative

    I tried, honestly, but it's all bullshit.

    Yea, here's the TL;DR version:

    "Killer robots can't happen because people have made movies about them, and movies are fiction."

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  3. ugh by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why does slashdot keep linking to this popsci website? These are basically blog posts that make very little sense. I've yet to read anything on there that's anything more than this dude ranting on some scientific topic he's not qualified to comment on.

    There are robots RIGHT NOW killing people. They're drones. Yes, they're under human control. But so will future robots. Robots aren't going to decide to kill humanity. Humanity is going to use robots to kill humanity. Eventually we'll give up direct control and they'll target tanks on their own. Then small arms. Then people talking about Jihad. Then criminals? The death penalty shouldn't be decided by algorithm.

    This guy argues that Stephen Hawkings is basically just making an oped because there was a movie about killer robots. Why should we listen to him? We're listing to him because he's STEPHEN HAWKINGS. He's one of the smartest people who's ever lived. He made his point after the movie because, being smart, he understood the popular movie would have peoples attention focused on the issue. Hawkings is qualified, smart and has my respect. He also has a point. Popsci? What a joke.