We CAN Save Earth! Installment 316
We CAN Save Earth! 316
2016-10-11 16:06:49NEW ! テーマ：NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Dear Fellow Earthlings, Robotics is developing at a feverish pace. I fear that if the field develops too quickly there is the distinct possibility that one or more things may go terribly wrong. For one thing, if the level of so-called "artificial intelligence" (AI) becomes high enough, a given robot may feel that it can do better by doing away with its human creators. Another unsettling scenario would be one in which one or more types of robot would gain the ability to replicate itself/themselves. An even worse scenario would be a situation in which certain robots might be BOTH able to replicate themselves AND to have developed the intent to either control or eliminate human beings. A still worse scenario would be that a malevolent robot -- or a group of them -- would acquire the means to destroy all human beings. As robotics science produces increasingly sophisticated robots, it is essential that production, legal, and enforcement safeguards should be put into place to prevent the development of the above mentioned scenarios. The late science fiction writer Isaac Asimov was ahead of his time when, in the 1940s, he designed an organizing principle expressly designed to make sure that malevolent robots would not be permitted to come into existence. This principle was composed of 3 "Laws", presented to the public in a short story called "Runaround" (1942). He added a 4th "Law" (the zeroth) in his book "Foundation and Earth" (1986)). It seems that Mr. Asimov had thoughts similar to the ones I have listed above. His 4 Laws are known as the "prime directive of robotics". I list them here for you: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. 4. (which Mr. Asimov referred to as "0" rather than "4") A robot may not harm humanity, or, by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm. 317 and 318, to be released tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, respectively. Steve Walker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator
© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.