Robotics Reference
In-Depth Information
have as many neurons as this computer would have components.
I believe we (i.e., humanity) will have such machines within a few
decades. The writing is already on the wall. Today, we already
have single electron transistors and nano electronics, i.e., molecular
scale electronics, which will create a storage capacity of one bit of
information per atom. [16]
Super-Robots
The continuing exponential growth in computing technology will un-
derpin the future of Artificial Intelligence as a whole. But what will AI
bring to the mid-twenty-first century and what it will mean to society?
Thus far this topic has examined the key areas of AI research. In Part III
(Chapters 10-13) we consider what will happen when, three, four or five
decades from now, all of these technologies are brought together in the
computing entities of the future, combining to create “super-robots”.
In order to prepare yourself for the subsequent chapters you need to
think in terms of robots that can perform in all of these areas at any
desired level of ability, from absolute beginner to the highest possible
calibre. They will be able to play all games like world champions; to use
their expert systems modules to solve any task that requires expertise; to
recognize any shape, person, sound, smell, work of art, etc.; to create the
most profound, moving and entertaining literature, the most beautiful
art and music; to think on the highest possible plane about any sub-
ject under the sun; to carry on conversations in the guise of any desired
persona, on any subject, at any level of knowledge or intellect and with
any desired sense of humour or level of seriousness; and to possess all
of the physical attributes of the strongest, most nimble most physically
desirable human beings.
These super-robots will not only have all of the above mentioned
capabilities and more, they will also have emotions and they will engen-
der emotions in humans. Enter Stepford wives and husbands who are
not just generally convincing replicas of human beings, but who are ab-
solutely 100 percent flawless so far as humans will be able to tell. How
will anyone be able to resist the temptation to make one (or more) of
them a lifelong companion?
