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Between 40,000 and 27,000 years ago, someone on the Eurasian steppes took a wolf into camp. Maybe he just thought it was exciting, or it made him seem powerful to keep a wolf. I don't think he could have possibly known that domestication of these now-extinct Pleistocene wolves would result in all the virtues we know in dogs.
I'm guessing the first useful role of a wolf was as guard dogs. From that point on, the master could sleep while the dogs kept watch with their better hearing and sense of smell. I'm sure some in the camp gave warning that wolf-dogs couldn't be trusted — they would rip out their throats while they slept. Maybe that happened at first. Eventually, though, dogs became man's best friend.
We're in the early days of AI. We've all seen the horror stories: Multiple AI's talk among themselves in their own made-up language and confess to wanting to kill humans if necessary. Worse things have been suggested, prompting predictions that AI will be the end of mankind. On the lighter side, AI makes things easy enough to encourage lazy thinking, and it has surely caused a lot of grief for many foolish lawyers.
But I've also seen the benefits of AI, especially since I have started using it to help me write code at work. I don't write code daily, just ad hoc and just to get a quick change done on personal software tools. I know how to structure decent software for limited use, but remembering how all the nuances require continuing education that I just don't have time for. AI helps me by getting past that to build what I want faster. AI will change the world for the better that way.
But what about AI taking over the world, or ripping out our throats while we sleep? It's possible. We still have lunatics who abuse dogs, and their antagonized beasts can cause problems. But just like with domesticating wolves into dogs, I think we can make AI that not only doesn't take over the planet, but which can be used to police other AI into behaving.
After using AI, I'm convinced that the dangers will be overcome and the world will be better off.
Discussion (11)
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I also think that there is a very good chance this will be true.
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We went from wolves to this:
Perhaps we'll make AI equally harmless. And pointless.
I find that unlikely.
Although AI talking cat videos are cute.
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Starting to see portrayals in movies and TV where an AI replaces the sidekick, buddy and the smart computer nerd who supplies those key facts to drive the plot toward resolution. No reason why that can't become common. Will it be weird if at a meeting people are privately conversing with their AI pal or conversing about price and nutrition in the grocery store. Lots of people walk around now talking on cell phones all day so will it happen more smoothly and quickly than we might currently expect?
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No idea about AI, but I think the first virtue dogs displayed to humans was their appetite to devour leftover food scraps and such. Right down to gnawing of bones. Much more sanitary than refuse and garbage lying around stinking up the place.
Their getting fed without much effort led to dogs feeling part of the pack with humans, and the rest is prehistory.
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Well done, Skyler! I like your metaphor, too; it's quite apt.
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