Interview with Robotics expert Noel Sharkey.
You describe AI as the science of illusion.
It is my contention that AI, and particularly robotics, exploits
natural human zoomorphism. We want robots to appear like humans or
animals, and this is assisted by cultural myths about AI and a
willing suspension of disbelief. The old automata makers, going back
as far as Hero of Alexandria, who made the first programmable robot
in AD 60, saw their work as part of natural magic - the use of trick
and illusion to make us believe their machines were alive. Modern
robotics preserves this tradition with machines that can recognise
emotion and manipulate silicone faces to show empathy. There are AI
language programs that search databases to find conversationally
appropriate sentences. If AI workers would accept the trickster role
and be honest about it, we might progress a lot quicker.
<http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327231.100-why-ai-is-a-dangerous-dream.html>Link
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