50+ Lifestyles

Just Saying…

By Q.C. Jones

QC Jones Talks Intelligence

Seems like a person can’t get through a magazine, news commentary, or anything similar without reading at least some small reference to Artificial Intelligence – aka AI.  For those who may have skipped over these mentions, here’s a quick synopsis of the whole thing.

I will hitherto refer to Artificial Intelligence as AI because I want to sound like an enlightened journalist. I made this decision myself, so I don’t know if it is intelligent, but rest assured there was nothing artificial tied to the decision.  So first a definition, we reached out to the leading expert on AI which happens to be a robot called ChatGPT.  Here is the answer:

“AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, it refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.”

Bearing in mind that this “plain jane” definition was developed by an AI Robot, I decided to ask for a little more detail.  Asking what kind of jobs might be impacted by AI, the machine said, “AI has the potential to impact a wide range of jobs, particularly those that involve routine or repetitive tasks, as well as data analysis and decision making. Examples include customer service, transportation, healthcare, and finance.”

Very interesting, now we know these machines have their eyes on some important aspects of our lives.  They want to get involved in our healthcare and control our money.  What happens when these things decide to kill us off one by one by prescribing us a double shot of antifreeze on our next doctor visit, then siphoning all our money into a secret underground computer vacation home?

We asked the AI robot this question: Will AI computers become slaves to humans?  Here is the short answer.  “No, AI computers are not inherently slaves to humans.”

This begged us to ask a follow-up question.  Could humans become subservient to AI systems? Here is an edited version of a lengthier answer:

“It’s not accurate to say that humans could become subservient to AI machines, as machines do not have desires, motivations, or the ability to control humans. However, the widespread use of AI could potentially shift the balance of power and influence in certain areas, such as decision-making and resource allocation. Humans need to ensure that they maintain control and responsibility for the development and use of AI, and to consider the potential implications of its widespread adoption.”

Remembering Stanley Kubrick’s “2001 A Space Odyssey,” the resource allocation part is a little scary, especially when you think about it in terms of power usage and money.  Since most of our readers may have not viewed the movie since its release back in our Junior High years, here is a quick recap:

In the year 2001, after uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins. A spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer H.A.L. 9000, and carrying other scientists in suspended animation, is charged with the mission. The two pilots were Dr. David “Dave” Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole on board.

HAL the computer malfunctions, blames “his” errors on the human pilots, and starts acting erratically.  Because HAL has the same listening mode as my Amazon Echo, named Alexa, the pilots go into a soundproof booth to talk about plans to disconnect the computer. Sadly, the computer cannot only hear but also can read lips.

HAL goes on a murdering spree and kills Frank (my apologies to Franks everywhere for being the first victim of AI). Dave has a creepy conversation with HAL about his plans to disconnect him.  HAL says, and I quote, “I am sorry Dave, but this mission is too important for me to allow humans to interfere.”

Holy Moley Batman, these AI things can get mean.

I can still remember fifteen-year-old me walking home from a late-night showing of that movie. I decided right then and there that I was not going to get on the wrong side of these AI things.  I studied computer engineering in college.  When my classmates stood outside the computer lab door badmouthing the University of Illinois main frame, I recalled their ability to read lips and carefully mouthed the words, I really think our computer is great.

Over the years, I have sucked up to every computer I ever met. Why? Because I know when they take over the world, I will be viewed as one of their helpful minions.  Just ask Alexa, we are great friends!

Here’s my final message to the computer overlords.  Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine was my favorite book in 4th Grade. It’s the story of a boy and a computer that does his homework.  Later, the computer tricks him into studying harder.  Computers can be devious.  Just saying…