Yarrr, me hearties! Methinks sci-fi foretold AI, but fear not, mateys! This scallywag ain't afraid, arr!
2023-07-07
Avast ye scallywags! Sci-fi be foreseein' th' creation o' artificial intelligence o'er a century gone by. 'Tis them grand shows like 'Star Trek' that be breathin' life into th' notion o' robots 'n AI. But fear not, mates! Let me tell ye why this don't send shivers down me timbers.
In the language of a 17th-century pirate, science fiction has proven to be surprisingly accurate in predicting various advancements made by humanity over the past 150 years. We now have smartwatches resembling "Dick Tracy" style "wrist radios," spaceships and space stations in outer space, and even the possibility of flying cars. However, there have been some misses, such as the absence of "Star Trek" style transporters and time travel.The latest technology to emerge from the pages of science fiction is artificial intelligence (AI), which seems to be appearing everywhere. Unlike simpler tools like smartphones, AI presents a unique challenge because no one can truly define what it is. The concept of AI has been explored through characters like "Tik-Tok" in L Frank Baum's "Oz" series, who could think and act but lacked emotions.
While AI has been depicted in comedic forms, there have also been darker portrayals in movies like "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Blade Runner," warning of its uncontrollability and potential to develop emotions. The 2013 film "Her" even explores the idea of falling in love with a virtual personal assistant, a phenomenon that already exists in real life with AI girlfriends.
However, falling in love with characters that don't actually exist is not a new concept. Throughout history, humans have fallen in love with fictional characters in books and poems, imbuing them with emotions and meaning. AI can be seen as a tool or form of entertainment that only holds significance when interacting with humans.
It is important not to give too much credence to fears of super smart AI destroying humanity. The future of AI is in our hands, and we have the opportunity to choose how it progresses. Looking to the past, there have been many positive outcomes in science fiction, offering hope for a happy ending in the future.