While watching my morning dose of the BBC this morning, I saw the latest techno-marvel from Japan: A robot that, at first, looked identical to the human it was designed after. The first time I looked, they looked like- no, they were twins. Then it began moving in simple, jerky, programmed movements. Despite the obvious hardware deficiencies of the robot, it was still a glimpse of the future deeply immersed in the "uncanny valley." (The point at which something stops resembling a human and begins to look too human (For Xbox 360)) Before i get into that though, I'd like to talk about robots in general.
I do, of course, believe that as robot programming becomes more complex, we will get closer and closer to true 'artificial intelligence,' especially with organizations like the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). Indeed, it may well be possible to achieve 'artificial intelligence.'
"But see here," you must be saying (or you're letting me say it for you, in which allow me to put more words in your mouth: unctuous, uncouth, and Thermopylae. They're all quite tasty) "Artificial intelligence is pure science fiction. Any program, no matter how advanced, must have some boundaries." And you would be right. However, 'artificial' does not mean 'false,' but 'man-made.' Thus, it is 'created intelligence.' And what is intelligence in this context if not sentience? I bring up the greatest (known) sentience engine in all of history: the human brain. The human brain is essentially a machine inlaid with various programs: programs for muscle control, respiration, nervous systems, and, of course, abstract thought. And if you think about it, the human brain already comes with a set of parameters, notably: Social boundaries and chemical limitations. Social boundaries are taught to us from the day we are born and carry such a heavy weight in our minds that they may as well be 'programmed' into us throughout our lives. Chemical limitations refer to stress levels and the ability of the mind to concentrate on multiple things at a time. The brain is the greatest organic computer ever.
So if you really think about it, Artificial Intelligence isn't as far off as it seems. However, once truly sentient robots are introduced, what would our reaction be? Would some see them as nothing but a curiosity, as more mindless automata? What about religious groups? How would production work? I mean, it wouldn't be anything like childbirth; they would have to be produced by a company, most likely for profit. What function would they serve? Is there really a niche for selling sentient beings? We'd have to expand our tolerance, our acceptance, outside the human spectrum and embrace the unfamiliar. 'Inhuman' would be an incorrect term. We are humans, but all sentient beings are people. We would have to make a difficult transition into a new world of tolerance.
And this brings me back to human lookalikes. To give accept a robot, even with sentience, would be easy. By the time AI is truly created, robots will be an everyday part our lives, like common appliances. I've already explained about the 'uncanny valley,' and it really does apply. Would you ever be able to get used to those glass eyes, that doll-like hair, that waxy skin? It's so close to human, yet very alien, like an impostor. Could you ever get used to such a thing? I just thought I'd pose the question. I was just thinking about how far our acceptance can stretch to such things. Think about it, if you will.
If you don't believe how close a robot future is, I'll have you know that a couple in Japan was recently married by a robot. Hopefully we'll one day have Pope John Paul Mk.II, who shall be programmed to be a super-cool guy and an awesome Christian, not a scary German like the current dude.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8685184
