1) I hate when fictional AI can't seem to figure out how to solve their own mechanical problems. I found it hard to believe that the BSG Cylon series couldn't figure out how to give themselves eternal life. And I find it hard to believe that the RUR robots would be so dependent on a human scientist.

2) I think you may be giving humanity too much credit. Although, the average pc will probably be able to process as many thoughts per minute as humans by 2020 and as many thoughts as an entire village worth of people by 2060, I wonder if human beings would ever let them go full-on sentient. I mean what's in it for us? Wouldn't we rather have metal slaves? However, if we do design full-on sentient computers, I bet the porn industry will be the first to develop such models. Watch.

3) Did you see this article in the NYT on the same subject? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/weekinreview/24…

1) I hate when fictional AI can't seem to figure out how to solve their own mechanical problems. I found it hard to believe that the BSG Cylon series couldn't figure out how to give themselves eternal life. And I find it hard to believe that the RUR robots would be so dependent on a human scientist.

2) I think you may be giving humanity too much credit. Although, the average pc will probably be able to process as many thoughts per minute as humans by 2020 and as many thoughts as an entire village worth of people by 2060, I wonder if human beings would ever let them go full-on sentient. I mean what's in it for us? Wouldn't we rather have metal slaves? However, if we do design full-on sentient computers, I bet the porn industry will be the first to develop such models. Watch.

3) Did you see this article in the NYT on the same subject? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/weekinreview/24…

You make two great points. To tell you the truth at times I think that this argument for the robots taking over humanity (or playing a large part in it, doing your gardening, for example) is some kind of Futurist urban legend, right up there with the flying car and weekend jaunts to Mars. While I think A.I. does and will have a great influence in our lives, I tend to think it will be more in line with incredibly intelligent versions on the machines we already own and will not, sadly, involve humanoid robots roaming about and waiting in line with us on a Saturday night for P.F. Chang's. Which is sad news for me and my robot love.

In regards to your argument that that technology is always breaking down, I would argue that computer manufacturers, etc want the machines to break down after a certain point so that you have to buy a new one. If the "machines" became sentient I imagine they, like the human race does now, will work extra hard at self-perseverance and that stores like GNC will be selling motor oil with ginkgo biloba extracts.

Of course, I imagine that, as Douglas Adams so hilarious showed us so many times, that sentience will also give the robots a whole new host of problems like neurosis, depression and, perhaps, a fear of cats (for everyone, excluding Lt. Commander Data, of course).

You make two great points. To tell you the truth at times I think that this argument for the robots taking over humanity (or playing a large part in it, doing your gardening, for example) is some kind of Futurist urban legend, right up there with the flying car and weekend jaunts to Mars. While I think A.I. does and will have a great influence in our lives, I tend to think it will be more in line with incredibly intelligent versions on the machines we already own and will not, sadly, involve humanoid robots roaming about and waiting in line with us on a Saturday night for P.F. Chang's. Which is sad news for me and my robot love.

In regards to your argument that that technology is always breaking down, I would argue that computer manufacturers, etc want the machines to break down after a certain point so that you have to buy a new one. If the "machines" became sentient I imagine they, like the human race does now, will work extra hard at self-perseverance and that stores like GNC will be selling motor oil with ginkgo biloba extracts.

Of course, I imagine that, as Douglas Adams so hilarious showed us so many times, that sentience will also give the robots a whole new host of problems like neurosis, depression and, perhaps, a fear of cats (for everyone, excluding Lt. Commander Data, of course).

Don't get me wrong, I want to have a house robot to help me clean, garden, cook, and serve guests intelligently and smoothly. But I expect that I will have to have a repair man over to fix it, and I expect that I have it sell itself on craigslist and order a replacement every 3-5 years. And it is a good reason to get rich now.

Don't get me wrong, I want to have a house robot to help me clean, garden, cook, and serve guests intelligently and smoothly. But I expect that I will have to have a repair man over to fix it, and I expect that I have it sell itself on craigslist and order a replacement every 3-5 years. And it is a good reason to get rich now.

I can only hope I make it to 2050. However, I am a bit concerned that, remembering how good looking my robot love was, I may be a bit too old. One more reason to get rich… fast.