Machine intelligence

Terry Benzschawel

Human–machine interactions have rapidly increased in number since the early 2000s, owing to the proliferation of machine learning algorithms and other factors, and this look set to continue. The issues arising from this situation (many of which are raised in Chapter 1) are considered in this final set of chapters. The most serious questions concern control over machines and human safety. For example:

•  

  • can humans lose control of the machines?

•  

  • will the machines turn against humans?

Amid those issues, questions arise regarding machine intelligence. For example:

•  

  • are machines intelligent?

•  

  • can we make machines that are conscious (if that is not the same thing as intelligent)?

•  

  • what does it mean to be conscious?

•  

  • are humans conscious?

Chapter 16 focuses on machine intelligence and the possibility of machine consciousness, while Chapters 17 and 18 begin by discussing practical aspects regarding Internet security, content, fraud, privacy, illegal activities, annoying communication and identity theft, etc, before looking at the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on personal freedom and geopolitical harmony and the implications and challenges for politics, the economy, medicine and education