A Fresh Look at Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is beginning to make a difference in our everyday lives, often behind-the-scenes. Some of it we like; some we fear. Much of the fear around AI is focused on the scenario that AI becomes sentient and turns against humanity, as explored in many Sci-Fi movies. This talk will outline some of the good that AI is doing now and may do in the next five years; then what I think the major threats are: not from omnipotent systems like SkyNet, nor from rogue robots, but from how AI will interact with our own human nature and culture and with our dysfunctional political and economic system.
First Reading - The Sorcerer's Apprentice (JW von Goethe; English translation by Edwin Zeydel)
That old sorcerer has vanished
And for once has gone away!
Spirits called by him, now banished,
My commands shall soon obey.
Every step and saying
That he used, I know,
And with sprites obeying
My arts I will show
Come, old broomstick, you are needed,
Take these rags and wrap them round you!
Long my orders you have heeded,
By my wishes now I've bound you.
Have two legs and stand,
And a head for you.
Run, and in your hand
Hold a bucket too.
See him, toward the shore he's racing
There, he's at the stream already,
Back like lightning he is chasing,
Pouring water fast and steady.
Once again he hastens!
How the water spills,
How the water basins
Brimming full he fills!
Stop now, hear me!
Ample measure
Of your treasure
We have gotten!
Ah, I see it, dear me, dear me.
Master's word I have forgotten!
Ah, the word with which the master
Makes the broom a broom once more!
Ah, he runs and fetches faster!
Be a broomstick as before!
Ever new the torrents
That by him are fed,
Ah, a hundred currents
Pour now upon my head!