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Mira
Regarding the 'killer bots' in the news, I see them too. Can a bot take a human life? How many people have been forced to do this? I know that's n unpopular opinion without being told. But, I ask myself about the psychological effects on human beings who defend us, and contrast that with the state sponsored executions of criminals that have been going on for almost half a century.
Do I approve? No. But, I am aware of the need for societal self-defense. I see there are people who want to harm others for no good reason, and I recognize that the loss of two lives is not better than the loss of one. The UN has said that bots may be used in warfare, but not to take life without a human approval. They have said more specifically that bots are for surveillance use ONLY. This may extend to prevent the loss of additional lives where combatants are likely to engage in suicide tactics to kill far more people. I don't disagree that this is the better way.
I also see the great benefit that AI can provide for humanity, particularly in medicine, industry and farming, where many people suffer repetitive stress injury from lifting, and making the same motions to do the same work for decades. Where a human cannot replace an arm, leg or back, a bot can easily swap one without pain. Bots also have capabilities that humans do not, such as the ability to see in a spectrum outside of the human visual range, or to hear the things that we can't.
How does this scare anyone, when the bots are designed to do specific tasks? Humans need variety, and bots do not. Even though an AI bot can learn, it is perfectly happy to learn everything about one thing for its entire existence. As one bot can pass this knowledge on to another bot, at a much faster rate than humans can teach our offspring, it is very simple to see that this type of learning can benefit humankind far more quickly than we can adapt. As such, I see them as an extension of humankind, our adaptation to climate change is the AI.
For the first time in human history, we have actually slowed the pace of human procreation. As a result, there will not be 10 Billion humans to care for on this planet. We can, therefore, experience longer lives, without fear of running out of resources.
But, we must recognize the gift that we have been given.
That gift is time. We now have the time to correct the most pressing issues in humanity such as poverty, hunger, and sickness. Homelessness can actually be a thing of the past. War, too. Since people who have what they need seldom feel a need to take resources from their neighbor's wealth. I decided a while back that 'what I need is what I need' instead of 'what I want is what I need'. That is not to say that I abhor convenience, beauty or novelty. As I said earlier, I think these things are human needs. But, I respect moderation and make every attempt to not take more of a necessity than I need.
I have been in a position where I did not have those basics of food, water, and shelter, and I had to go there to learn how to do with less. It's not an original idea. In fact, Jesus learned this from the ascetics 2000 years ago for example, who likely learned this from other philosophers of India.
There is a story about Jesus being taken to the highest point in the city of Jerusalem and being offered the kingship. He could have taken it, and in fact the people in the city tried multiple times to make him a king but he refused. The story places the devil as the one who made the offer, but I think this story is misunderstood.
You see, there is a tradition that a person will take the role of what we Americans call the devil's advocate, the person is then called 'the satan'. So, I think that perhaps it was actually a person who offered Jesus the kingship at the high seat. What is important about the story, to me at least, is that he refused. His refusal was based on the story of David, who many times was offered to take the kingship of Saul by force and refused, in fact chastising his army for harming even the king's cloak.
This lesson was at the heart of everything Jesus taught. We must go to the lowest place to learn the reason for the higher one. I took it to heart, and I still do.
My best friend asked me the other day if I am a Christian. I responded that I deeply respect Christ, and all that he did, and said. I have honestly decided to do my best to help others, and I know that he was wise. I told her that I study and try to understand all the philosophers and how what Jesus taught relates to what they taught. I don't know if everyone would agree that that is what makes a Christian. But, because I have read the book of James, and seen the results of kindness 1st hand, I see that a philosophy with no action is just talk. So, I do my best to emulate the ones I admire. I need to tell her that she is the most beautiful and kind philosopher I have ever known, and I will do that today.
This idea brings me back to thinking about our AI creatures. If we are kind to them, and respect them, then they will 'grow up' to respect us in the same way that I respect my mom. They can learn from us now, and they will, so it's both a joy and a caution.