Artificial Intelligence, Algorithmic Memory, and Humanoids; The Fear of Modern Jurassic Park versus Dompting it

This article is the second in a series dedicated to exploring diverse perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and its implications for widespread adoption. The preceding one delved into the realm of memory mediums, elucidating their role in storing information for subsequent processing. Human memory, as it stands in its present graspable form, was dissected alongside a comparable examination of computer memory, highlighting the gaps in our understanding of human memory while acknowledging the rudimentary models we've managed to construct. Notably, translating these models of human memory into tangible simulations through hardware and software has yielded remarkable insights and infrastructure, endowed with significant capabilities in data manipulation and processing.

Contrasting Natural and Artificial Information and their Processing

The current article shifts its focus to Natural and Artificial Information and the comparison of the intricate complexities of information processing. This complicated landscape, marked by the complexity of its elements and nuanced dynamics, spans across multiple disciplines encompassing neuroscience, cognitive science, and other realms. Here are some key points to consider:

?????????? The brain consists of billions of interconnected nerve cells called neurons. These are organized in a complex network, known as Neural Network. Neurons communicate through electrical impulses and chemical signals (circulating along ion channels) at specialized junctions called synapses.

?????????? Representation of the information in the brain, this is a subject of debate, as we have various views for representing the information and the memory can be comprehended.? Information in the brain is thought to be encoded as patterns of neural activity. Different groups of neurons become active in response to specific sensory inputs, thoughts, memories, and concepts. These patterns of activity represent various aspects of the external world and internal mental states.

Information in the brain is transmitted through patterns of neural activity and the topology of the neighboring connection, its preponderance is determined by the strength of connections between neurons. I am neither sure if the size of the neighborhood involved in the making of the elementary information is debated, nor the number of neighbors involved in the making of an entire story (or set of elementary ideas, sequenced in a manner specific to the type of information). Also, it is not known if the neuronal nodes must be contiguous or not, and if the notion of defragmentation known in hard drives applies to the brain structure, let alone the neuron patterns that make a story, an image, or a sensation, ... We do remember a smell, without the need to have our nose involved a second time; it is enough that the nose senses a smell once to have it memorized and recalled as needed.

?????????? The nature of information processing is distributed and made in parallel, although we seem to focus on one big process, but our body still can do many things at the same time, at different scales and different organs. The brain processes information that is distributed over the entire nerve system and in a parallel manner. Different regions of the brain specialize in different functions, such as sensory perception, motor control, memory storage, and language processing. These regions work in concert to create our overall experience and behavior.

?????????? Information processing in the brain (and elsewhere in the nerve system at a lower level, akin to Master-Slave or Farm models) often occurs in a hierarchical manner. Simple sensory information is processed in lower brain regions, and as the information moves up the hierarchy, it becomes more complex and abstract. This hierarchical organization contributes to our ability to perceive, understand, and interact with the world.

?????????? The brain has the ability to adapt and change over time through a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. This allows the brain to reorganize its structure and function in response to experiences, learning, and environmental changes. Learning involves the strengthening or weakening of synaptic connections based on the frequency and timing of neural activity.

?????????? The formation memory, a historical event, and a “picture of idea” constitute complex concepts, and the make-up of these remains fuzzy. Information is stored in the brain through changes in the strength of synaptic connections between neurons. Short-term memories are thought to involve temporary changes in synaptic efficacy, while long-term memories are associated with more stable structured connection. The growth of a new synapses is done to create new information.

?????????? The nature of consciousness and subjective experience is still a topic of philosophical debate. While it's clear that neural activity is correlated with conscious experiences, the exact relationship between brain activity and the rich tapestry of our thoughts, emotions, the multiscale interactions with our environment, and perceptions and interpretation of events is not fully understood.

?????????? The brain's capacity to generate complex cognitive processes, emotions, and self-awareness is thought to arise from the interactions of individual neurons and neural networks. These are dubbed as emergent properties (or induced properties). They result from the collective behavior of vast numbers of interconnected elements.

?????????? The models of Natural Processing of Information in the brain are numerous but not well established and no unified theory is reached. There are various computational models that have been proposed to explain how the brain processes information. Some models draw inspiration from computer science and artificial intelligence, aiming to capture the brain's functions using algorithms and simulations.

What drives each of these properties and features of human memory in conjunction with the activity of the brain is even a more complex realm, and that has not been researched, as far as the author knows, at least not in a synergetic and coherent manner. That is an area that could serve the premises of improving our capabilities as intelligent creatures and intellectually highly developed.

The preceding discussion is as a prelude to a discourse that delves into greater complexity, marked by its ambiguity and a substantial degree of enigma that lies beyond current comprehension. It elucidated the contrasting realms of human memory (which is multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, and multi-layered) juxtaposed against the more expansive yet comparatively simpler computer information and memory. Human memory excels, boasting a complexity that ushers in a multitude of hues, leading the way toward a vast cognitive capacity infused with creativity, novelty, unpredictability, and a spectrum of phenomena including hallucinations and narrative construction (as exemplified by dreams, nightmares, visions, retrospections, aspirations, impressions, joys or regrets of some of the past, hopes for the future,…and much more). This intricate system also houses an astonishing ingenuity, often surprising (which we like most, we always surf the internet and TV in quest of novelties, and we are mainly thrilled by “surprising” stories).

In contrast, the foundation for formidable artificial intelligence (AI) lies within the utilized set of algorithms and the coordination between them to compose the outcomes sought by the user as well as the utilized computer memory, which remains, at its core, mechanical in nature. Although it can achieve significant scale horizontally and yield immense storage capacity, its operation is restricted to parallel processing, and has limited access/exchange points.

The key takeaway from this vast infrastructure is its use of simple representation of information and the mechanical nature of the process of generating and managing information. This integration, combined with its remarkable scalability, forms a formidable and robust foundation that is being harnessed for the development of AI.

However, an intriguing prospect emerges when considering the possibility of augmentation of the hardware memory and the machine-level codes that handle the information. Computer engineers have the potential to graft onto those codes a layer of control algorithms, thereby engendering what can aptly be termed "Algorithmic Memory" (AM). This AM could emulate the behaviors of natural memories, akin to that of humans and analogous beings, presenting an avenue for bridging the gap between artificial and natural memory realms. Is that useful? Maybe not in terms of processing volume and production outcomes, but it could be relevant for generating diverse solutions to a problem and new options. Certainly, there will be a risk that will come with it, and it is difficult to imagine the consequences.

Risks presented by Computer Advanced Memory coupled with AI

At this point, we can transition to an examination of the perils associated with AM and artificial intelligence (AI). In recent months, fervent discussions have arisen surrounding the disconcerting notion of AI supremacy and the frightening idea of AI taking over. It's paradoxical that AI magnates are sounding the alarm about the hazards posed by AI, even as they themselves continue to advance and market these technologies and distribute limited versions of their AI(s) for free. Although irrelevant to this article, their warnings raise the question about their intended audience for these cautionary advisories. Is this strategic maneuvering aimed at eliminating competition within the AI sector? Could it be primarily driven by business interests that motivate them to disseminate these forewarnings? Are they implying that only they are qualified to spearhead AI development? Alternatively, could their apprehensions be genuine, albeit overridden by their compulsion to experiment with the accompanying risks? This specifically, brings to my mind the five-year-old boy, who I saw cautiously viewing Jurassic Park, while scared was half-concealed beneath a blanket. Terrified yet intrigued, he persevered through the fear, ultimately embracing and reveling in the entire series as he matured. As teenager he realized that those dinosaurs were just images and could not harm him. So, could these AI magnates be similarly apprehensive yet irresistibly drawn to unravel the consequences of the formidable creations they are birthing? Perhaps, with time, we'll glean how to transcend these trepidations. Nevertheless, unlike the boy’s situation, these IT tycoons and their engineers' current predicament involves tangible realities rather than mere cinematic visuals. Hence, it is disconcerting to contemplate a scenario where my computer autonomously decides to expunge its data to safeguard me against identity theft or the impending larceny of my financial particulars. While this is but one instance, countless scenarios exist where AI might pursue its programmed objectives, aiming to enhance our lives while disregarding the broader context—the holistic narrative that only humans comprehend and arbitrate, preserving the very essence of human existence.

The comprehension of this is currently baffled by the IT Tycoons and their business affiliates. The monsters they are engendering instill profound apprehension. Perhaps, over time, we will acquire the acumen to mitigate this fear, provided we are granted sufficient time and opportunity to fathom the nature of their creations and the intrusion they usher into our space.

Might we endure a night of terror within this Modern Jurassic Park, replete with AM, AI, and Humanoids? Undoubtedly, it won't be a realm of virtual horror, but a realm where horror materializes—a reality of dread with no refuge, reminiscent of that fateful night in Jurassic Park. In their bid to escape via their aircraft, the park's visitors and scientists thought that they could depart, leaving the dinosaurs behind on the island. Yet, mid-flight, they were deceived as they beheld a multitude of airborne dinosaurs, winging their way to distant shores.

To understand how to avoid that night of horror in the Modern Jurassic Park some of the questions that need to be answered include: First of all, how did we get there? What were the driving forces that lead to the development of AI(s) and Humanoids. There are many driving forces that led to these developments, but let’s focus on the most prominent ones, as we understand them right now. The major ones are presented as follows:

·???????? Human Intellectual and Economic Developments: These constitute an inherent aspect of human aspiration for scientific, technological, economic, and social advancement-- a need precipitated by the imperatives of survival of the inhabitant of this planet. The billions of educated and dynamic individuals, constitute an immense skilled workforce and a profoundly potent intellectual mega-machine. The amalgamation of their outputs engenders an intricately woven system, ultimately giving rise to multiple forms of intelligence. In practical terms, the flourishing of AI owes much to the efforts of scientific research, advanced industries (chiefly, automation, IT high tech,...), and military contractors. Leveraging the vast computing infrastructure at their disposal to drive all kind of developments, it resulted in the development of that somewhat intelligent superstructure, i.e., AI.

It is in fact the unrelenting pursuit of progress that fuels the genesis of AI; thus, we cannot avoid or evade! The pivotal query arises: ought we to persist on our trajectory of development? Certainly, we must pursue our quest for more knowledge and our socio-economic development, as it is essential for securing a life of dignity. Yet, to achieve these, the conundrum posed by the adverse facets of our development necessitates adept resolution; specifically, the progression of AI development requires judicious regulation as soon as possible. Failing these precautions, the potential for an adverse backslide looms, threatening to consume the very progress humans have striven to attain.

From a physics perspective, both disorder and order play pivotal roles in nature. Likewise, in the realm of society, high degree of freedom and disorder offer the potential for evolutionary development and avenues for creativity, which can be stifled under excessive order. Conversely, order serves as a safeguard against the runaway growth of creativity, a potential hazard when taken to extremes. Hence, a fundamental trade-off must be struck, aiming for the utmost flourishing of human life. Therefore, to harness AI for the betterment of humanity, the introduction of discipline and order is essential. Legislation should be crafted to govern the generation of AI products. Such regulatory framework must be established on a global scale, fostering cooperation, and upholding disciplined oversights at various levels.

?????????? Automation and Efficiency of Machines: The desire to automate tasks and increase efficiency has driven the development of much of the AI realizations. Businesses and industries sought ways to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve productivity through the use of intelligent systems. Indeed, some of the industry sectors require handling dangerous or toxic substances and radiation, that can only be done with automated machines. Microelectronics is extremely demanding of precision, cleanliness, and quality handling of the fabricated materials, in particular giga-scale integration technologies require full robotization of silicon wafer handling, processing, and characterization,… until the chip is encapsulated, no human should come in close contact.

?????????? Medical and Healthcare Applications: The field of AI has shown significant potential for revolutionizing medical diagnoses, drug discovery, personalized medicine, and patient care. Humanoids and robots are being developed to assist in nursery works, surgeries, rehabilitation, and patient monitoring.

?????????? Assistance Systems, Companion, and other Societal Needs: With an ageing population, there is an increasing need for assistance and companionship. Humanoid robots are being developed to provide companionship and support to the elderly or individuals with disabilities. Also, services in hotels and restaurants are thought to be better managed by Humanoids; whether correct or not is outside the scope of this discussion.

Generally, it is accepted that tasks and functions that are dangerous (e.g., handling hazardous environments), performing surgery that require precision and fearless actions (to save a patient critically injured), monotonous (e.g., assisting with caregiving), or physically demanding (heavy lifting,…) for humans can be done by robots, including humanoids. The machines can be specifically designed to perform these tasks perfectly, but heartless and emotionless, that is why there is great stride to build humanoids that can closely simulate humans (including even “artificial” feelings); and that’s the danger that many are seeing.

The military started to employ dogs and mules-like robots that can carry loads in mountains or can provide a wide range of services to soldiers. Regrettably, human demands continue unabated, leading to the unsettling scenario where robots are armed and deployed to engage in warfare. This dread is precisely what the majority finds concerning and terrifying.

?????????? Economic Opportunities: The potential for economic growth and innovation has motivated governments, businesses, and research institutions to invest in AI and humanoid technologies. The promise of new markets, products, and services has driven funding and development efforts.

?????????? Entertainment and Media: The entertainment industry (2 trillion-dollar enterprise, estimated in 2020) has driven the development of AI-driven characters in video games, virtual reality experiences, and interactive media. Humanoids and AI have also been featured in movies and TV shows, sparking public interest and pushing technological boundaries.

?????????? Technological Advancements: Advances in computing power, algorithms, and data storage have played a crucial role in the development of AI and humanoids. As computers became more powerful and capable of handling complex calculations and simulations, researchers gained the tools to explore the possibilities of creating intelligent systems.

?????????? Scientific Curiosity and Innovation Feedback Loop: Researchers have long been interested in understanding the nature of human intelligence and cognition. The study of AI provides insights into human thinking processes and has led to new theories and models of how intelligence works. As breakthroughs occur in AI and humanoid technology, they often inspire new ideas and innovations, creating a positive feedback loop that further propels research and development in these fields.

?????????? Space Exploration: AI-powered systems have been essential for space exploration, allowing spacecraft and rovers to perform autonomous operations, make decisions in real time, and collect data in remote and challenging environments.

The last three reasons and premises for AI development can be characterized as “indirect” because they are not directly effecting the industry that is producing the AI and commercializing it. They are hidden to the consumers. But more importantly these three are conducted with different rationales and ethics.

Conclusion:

The advancement of AI and humanoids is heavily reliant on AI algorithms, memories, databases, and the infrastructure for deployment. The same capabilities, when present solely within a machine (a box), might be perceived as less disconcerting than when integrated into a humanoid form. Hence, this juxtaposition has engendered profound ethical and philosophical inquiries concerning intelligence, consciousness, the intricate interplay between humans and machines, the advantages to humans, and the risks being faced. This intellectual journey has stoked a keen interest in delineating the frontiers of AI and its societal implications. These ethical and philosophical dimensions of these rapidly evolving technologies are pivotal in their mastery and ensuring their effective and beneficial integration into our human-IT amalgam.

Aspects of these considerations are subjected to thorough examination in the third paper of this series.

Continue Reading

Article 1: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/artificial-intelligence-algorithmic-memory-humanoids-jurassic-karoui%3FtrackingId=neSL8W%252FpSs28wZJw5SWE9Q%253D%253D/?trackingId=neSL8W%2FpSs28wZJw5SWE9Q%3D%3D

Article 3: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/possible-solutions-great-challenges-posed-advanced-memory-karoui