Shanahan describes technological advances in AI, both biologically inspired and engineered from scratch. No, not that of a kind (no exorcist is needed), but the Laplacian one! The idea of technological singularity, and what it would mean if ordinary human intelligence were enhanced or overtaken by artificial intelligence. It will naturally appeal more to those with lay interests in philosophy, ethics, anthropology, computer science, cognitive science, engineering, sf, and world issues.The idea that human history is approaching a “singularity”—that ordinary humans will someday be overtaken by artificially intelligent machines or cognitively enhanced biological intelligence, or both—has moved from the realm of science fiction to serious debate. The majority of the book presumes that the singularity will happen when full-brain emulation is achieved. The Technological Singularity (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series) View larger image . Shanahan makes it clear that we need to imagine both possibilities if we want to bring about the better outcome.This evenhanded primer on a topic whose significance is becoming increasingly recognized ought, as per its inclusion in this series, to receive wide exposure.
However, it seems rash to insist on the timetable for reaching this milestone, the confidence of certain authors notwithstanding. To gain some understanding of what the resulting systems might be capable of and how they might behave, we can use the framework of three questions proposed in the...The previous chapter mooted the idea of making and destroying copies of a simulated brain. Perhaps this will happen by emulating or reverse engineering the biological brain or perhaps by engineering intelligence from first principles. An increase in the sophistication of specialized AI technology does look likely in the short term.
Through the various think experiments, Shanahan ruminates about various risks, connected to the development of the super intelligent AI. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Shanahan's aim is not to make predictions but rather to investigate a range of scenarios.
Overview. Series: Essential ... Murray Shanahan offers an introduction to the idea of the singularity and considers the ramifications of such a potentially seismic event.Shanahan's aim is not to make predictions but rather to investigate a range of scenarios. Mark Coeckelbergh — 2020-02-05 in Philosophy . Written by leading thinkers, the books in this series deliver expert overviews of subjects that range from the cultural and the historical to the scientific and the technical.In today’s era of instant information gratification, we have ready access to opinions, rationalizations, and superficial descriptions. Perhaps there are forms of consciousness yet to arise that are, in some sense, superior to our own. That said, however, Murray Shanahan at least writes well -- the book is well structured -- and asks loads of provocative questions. A computer simulation can then be built which emulates in precise detail the activity of the brain.
MIT Press began publishing journals in 1970 with the first volumes of This evenhanded primer on a topic whose significance is becoming increasingly recognized ought, as per its inclusion in this series, to receive wide exposure. Interesting concepts about transhumanism and morality of AI, but a 50 page book crammed into 200.Favorite book I read all year! The book written by Murray Shanahan, The Technological Singularity, tackles with the idea that eventually there will be an AI rivaling and surpassing the human brain. All Rights Reserved. Essential Knowledge books fill that need. It comes right up to the brink but doesn't acknowledge it.
Shanahan addresses this, but gives fewer pages to it than all Either I knew less about the singularity than I thought I did or this book is already out of date four years after publication, but I found the majority of this essay to be a waste of time.
How much freedom to act should it be afforded?
Once human-level AI -- theoretically possible, but difficult to accomplish -- has been achieved, he explains, the transition to superintelligent AI could be very rapid. Some superhuman AI agents might be created to benefit humankind; some might go rogue.
That said, however, Murray Shanahan at least writes well -- the book is well structured -- and asks loads of provocative questions. I like this fact instead of the whole prediction game as of when AI will become self aware aka " Ray Kurzweil futurism " ; we rather tackle the problem at a philosophical level .The book does get slightly technical around full brain simulation AI in the middle but overall is well suited for the layman.A surprisingly fast read and mind-bending concepts.
The singularity presents both an existential threat to humanity and an existential opportunity for humanity to transcend its limitations. By: Murray Shanahan. Interview: Murray Shanahan on the technological singularity.