- Question
Will artificial intelligence lead to the end of humankind?
The term artificial intelligence (AI) was coined back in 1956. While science fiction often portrays AI as robots with human-like characteristics, AI can encompass anything from Google’s search algorithms to IBM’s Watson to autonomous weapons, and it's progressing rapidly. AI today is properly known as narrow AI (or weak AI), as it is designed to perform a narrow task (e.g. facial recognition or driving a car). However, the long-term goal of many researchers is to create general AI (AGI or strong AI). While narrow AI may outperform humans specific tasks, AGI would outperform humans at nearly every cognitive task.
Yes, artificial intelligence will end humankind
AI is designed to be more intelligent than humans. They are programmed to focus on one job; they will not think twice about eliminating any barriers, including humans.
No, artificial intelligence will not end humankind
This position holds that artificial intelligence will not bring about the end of humankind. It argues that a true superintelligence cannot actually be achieved, and that AI — however capable at narrow tasks — lacks the genuine intelligence and consciousness of a human being.