Imminent destruction of humankind by Artificial Intelligence (AI)

So many earth’s doomsdays have been predicated by many; both conspiracy theorists, and even scientists alike.  We saw how the predicted cataclysm never came. Another prediction also arose; the earthquake apocalypse, but it never happened too. Maybe because all these have been predicted by conspiracy theorists.

Now, another fear has arisen in the hearts of men as Stephen Hawkings makes his own prediction. The prediction is nothing like the cataclysm, or earthquake apocalypse, but on AI.

In his words

Humankind is in the danger of self-destruction by AI… Our years are already numbered here on earth – Prof Stephen Hawkings [Paraphrased by me]

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Could this be a buttress to the prediction initially made by Elon Musk? 

Third world war will be triggered by the battle for AI superiority, and will be fought by machines – Elon musk (CEO Tesla, and speceX)

Have we gotten to the point of no return?

Among the predictions made by Hawkings, he clearly stated that humanity has about 100years left before it will be completely replaced by AI. And with the trend of evolution in the field of AI, 100years could just be too long. We’ve seen weird advancements: Dreaming robots, Robot citizenship, Robot Doctor, learning AI (the list is so vast), what other proves do we still need to know that AI has already started sidelining humans?

Even Bill Gates followed suit in this prediction:

The advancement in AI could cause the demise of humanity – Bill Gates (CEO Microsoft)

Does this awaken fear in your heart too? We’ve always believed that AIs are meant to compliment humanity, not replace humanity. But I guess robots are now charting their own course. No wonder Facebook had to shut down their AI programs when their AI started communicating with themselves using the language they formulated.

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I’m really surprised all these things are happening. What then happens to 1st law law of robotics?

A robot may not harm an individual, or through inaction allow an individual to come to harm – Isaac Asimov

Now, this is a gross contravention of this law, and other laws too.

Annihilation by AI (Ai-nihilation). Destroy or be destroyed

What would we have expected when creating AIs that are way more intelligent than humans? Can I tell us this? We are already at war with machines, and we’re helping them win. These AI are already seeing humanity as threat to their existence, and what do you think they’ll do? Fight of course. 

And one thing with humans is, we won’t willingly relinquish supremacy to machines. This could lead to human-machine warfare. And you know, the better side will always win.

I once told a friend this, but I’ll repeat it here too.

With the trend of evolution in AI, very soon, humans will be seen as mere inferior version of machines - @samminator

Imagine when  superintelligent AIs sets out to accomplish their mission; do we stand a chance against them? That is why I have advocated that government should set rules to checkmate the activities of these AIs. If not, humanity will be left at the mercy of escaping the earth (A Martian relocation would suffice).

Extraterrestrial Relocation

As weird as this may sound, in the event of an AI warfare, this could be the only hope humanity has. Good a think, the proposed Martian trip is already in its beta prep. We could use a space colony. And probably, we could begin a new life form.

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This has also been proposed by Hawkings as a way to survive “AI-nihilation”

Humankind needs to develop multi-planetary colonization for us to survive the next few centuries – Stephen Hawkings [Paraphrased by me]

Well, I really hope the solution to this will be gotten before it happens. Because I can’t wake up one morning to discover I’m the only living person among AI in the whole earth.  

Thanks for reading

References for further reading: Ref1, Ref2, Ref3