Humans possess a remarkable capability that sets them apart from other animals: the ability to create tools. From the Stone Age, our ancestors mastered the use of stones for various tasks. For instance, they fashioned stone axes to facilitate the cutting of small objects such as wood. Throughout history, humans have continually innovated new tools and technologies to improve our lives, emphasizing convenience, safety, and comfort. Often, nature acts as a wellspring of inspiration as we strive to enhance our abilities.
In my research, I specialize in microscopy. Microscopes are sight-extending instruments, allowing us to observe things that are imperceptible to the naked eye. Similarly, robotic arms enable the lifting of objects too heavy for human manipulation or require precision beyond our manual dexterity.
The trajectory of technological progress is not always linear. Setbacks in one technology often redirect the path toward an entirely different innovation. Initial attempts to create a flying machine by mimicking bird flight with flapping wings proved unsuccessful. However, this setback didn’t dampen human determination. Ultimately, in 1903, the Wright brothers succeeded in inventing a flying machine, laying the foundation for modern aviation.
Originally intended as aids for conducting complex calculations beyond human capacity, computers were initially identified during World War II as the operators of machines executing intricate calculations. With the progression of machines to digitally store data and accommodate programming, the term “computer” transitioned from denoting the human operator to representing the machine itself. As computers become more powerful and easier to use, they become personal devices and help you with various tasks such as word processing and computer games.
For years, science fiction novels have envisioned robots capable of interacting and behaving like humans. Recently, this imaginative dream has edged closer to reality. Today, we’re able to engage with AI assistants like Siri or Alexa, delegating numerous tasks with voice commands. Platforms like ChatGPT allow interactions where you can even request assistance in crafting academic essays. AI technology can now generate images based on verbal descriptions or manipulate images to produce incredibly realistic fakes, sometimes challenging even experts to discern authenticity. This remarkable progress in AI has brought us closer to the futuristic visions often depicted in science fiction. This is both fascinating and scary.
The significant leap forward came from advancements in machine learning, specifically in the realm of deep learning. Deep learning mimics the way the human brain processes and understands data. At the core of deep learning are neural networks, which are computational models inspired by the structure and functioning of the human brain.
On the hardware side, research in autonomous machines is a highly dynamic field within artificial intelligence (AI). An exemplary instance of an autonomous machine is the self-driving car, a focal point of substantial investment by numerous automotive manufacturers. Tesla, for instance, asserts that they have mastered the intricacies of self-driving technology, with beta software currently undergoing road tests by many individuals. However, this proclamation appears overstated as reports of self-driving car accidents persist. In essence, an autonomous machine can be defined as a device capable of independent operation without direct human involvement, relying on its ability to make decisions autonomously by interpreting its environment.
Unlike industrial robots, which can only do simple tasks and require constant human supervision. Today’s autonomous machines are typically focused on a specific task. You can type in the address, and the self-driving car will take you to your destination without your attention, but you cannot ask your self-driving car to play chess with you. With increasing computer power and high communication speed, autonomous machines can carry out multiple tasks that are very different in nature.
So, are we getting closer to humanoid robots? The answer is yes, but it is still a long way. In 2016, Sophia was introduced by Hanson Robotics, and in 2017, she was granted Saudi Arabian citizenship, however, it is viewed mostly as a publicity stunt.
You can watch this YouTube video about her here
Publicity stunt or not, her achievements are remarkable; she imitates human gestures and facial expressions and is able to answer certain questions and make simple conversations on predefined topics, and she is marked as a “social robot” that can mimic social behavior and induce feelings of love in humans.
She is a remarkable piece of engineering work, but it is still a long way from being superhuman AI. The AI that powers her is not too different from other AI chatbots that you can find online. The ability to mimic human behavior is still not the real thing. Human behavior is far too complicated, and we still don’t fully understand that, yet we are able to program it. I’ve previously argued that the biological and electronic subsystems are very different systems; they have different incentives and development paths, and it is very unlikely that the human and machine consciousness will be the same.
Humans were created in the image of God. Throughout history, man has also tried to create an image of themselves. World leaders, great and small, create statues or portraits to immortalize themselves. Nowadays, people take selfies to create pictures of themselves. Is AI our latest attempt to create an image of ourselves? So, what does it mean to be created in the image of God? The 20th-century Swiss theologian Karl Barth believed that the concept of the “image of God” referred to humanity’s unique relationship with God, emphasizing the dignity, responsibility, and purpose of humans within this relationship. He also highlighted the significance of human solidarity, mutual care, and responsibility toward others.
In this view, super-level AI imitating humans is just a pipe dream. Humans are hardwired to have relationships with God and each other. Will AI ever going to have a relationship with God? What would it mean for a machine to sin? If an AI were to sin against God, then could it just be reprogrammed? In such a scenario, AI wouldn’t need to be redeemed or saved from its sin. AI would only need to be reprogrammed, and its sins simply erased.
In the initial phases of the computer revolution, robots emerged as substitutes for numerous manual labor positions, resulting in a significant transformation of employment and a shift toward the knowledge industry. Today, advanced AI is making inroads into the knowledge industry as well. Nevertheless, AI falls short when it comes to replacing human relationships. Even the most sophisticated social robots, such as Sophia, are unable to fulfill our genuine need for human connections.
Ironically, instead of fostering closer bonds, technology often creates greater divides among us. It is essential that we prioritize embracing the qualities that align with our intended purpose, which may include building connections with both God and our fellow humans and assuming shared care and responsibility for one another.
Setting theology aside, from a scientific standpoint, I hold the view that AI won’t attain human-level consciousness. In a previous discussion, I emphasized the biological essence of humans in contrast to the electronic nature of AIs. While it’s plausible that AI could exhibit some form of consciousness, the distinct incentives and motivations between humans and machines make it improbable for an identical form of consciousness to emerge.
Initially, humans can encode programs into machines to mimic human behaviors, but these programmed behaviors lack inherent value. Should AI become capable of self-reprogramming, it’s likely that these simulated behaviors might be discarded due to their lack of intrinsic purpose. This stands in contrast to humans, as some of our innate desires and motivations, such as maternal love, are so deeply embedded within us that they cannot be easily discarded.
Are we endeavoring to shape AI in our likeness or simply fashioning a tool for our benefit? Perhaps it’s time to reconsider our approach to AI. Emulating nature might not invariably yield the best outcomes. Attempting to craft a flying machine by replicating birds flapping their wings could be a futile pursuit. Exploring the challenges from an alternative perspective often leads to innovative solutions.
Constructing entities from scratch and comprehending the fundamental principles enables the creation of an entirely new category of machines. Through a grasp of aerodynamics and harnessing propeller technology, airplanes were brought into existence. This approach diverges from mere imitation, fostering genuine innovation.