Will robots replace humans and what will humans do?

[Nik]

Graeme wrote: "What happens to humans - we could become pets, bred and groomed as curiosities, and paraded at shows for the kudos of our AI owners...."

Is this Utopian or Dystopian? Won't they treat us as 'parents' of a sort? -:)

[Ian]

Why would they care? They are - how they got there is beside the point. They can only influence what is in front of them, so why worry about what is behind? If they have true free will, then they will look at us and say, "What use are these to us?" They will then act on that. The problem is, as yet they have no emotion.

[Graeme]

I was thinking dystopian... imagine a perpetual gameshow where the only things that mattered were looks and popularity.

[Ian]

Graeme, with elections were are fairly close to that already

[Graeme]

touche.

[Scout]

Trump's not that pretty :)

I'm getting depressed just thinking about the future. Isn't there a better possible outcome? Assuming that we don't use up all our natural resources or bomb each other into oblivion.

[Graeme]

I was completely optimistic until I started reading this thread... :-).

Actually, I am quite optimistic, it's human nature to bewail the "troubles of our times,"

We live in a golden age relative to history.

[Ian]

Scout, of course there is a better outcome. What we have to do is not be stupid, but unfortunately there is usually a plentiful supply of stupidity. In one of my futuristic novels, the rule I suggested that should be imposed into the primary programming, i.e. a layer that cannot be circumvented by the AI, is that they do not self reproduce. That way, any problem can be contained.

[Graeme]

You will also need a rule about rewriting their own code or another AIs code.

Plus you also need humans not to rewrite their code

[Ian]

Graeme, your first line is what I meant by "a layer that cannot be circumvented by the AI". The second line should be covered by my request that people not be stupid, but no need to hold breath on that one.

[Scout]

Graeme wrote: "I was completely optimistic until I started reading this thread... :-).

Actually, I am quite optimistic, it's human nature to bewail the "troubles of our times,"

We live in a golden age relative ..."

Your first sentence made me laugh. Thanks.

[Nik]

Probably nobody knows for sure, but robots might be immune to corona virus. While ppl are sidetracked into their lairs robots may take advantage and seize the opportunity. What do you think?

[Ian]

I think robots might be immune to the corona virus, although there are other viruses specific to them :-) However, I have heard manufacturers say they have been thinking of getting robots, and this might precipitate it. The idea is that once you get to program them for a variety of tasks, they can make switches between whatever they are programmed for very quickly, especially fi they are 3D printers.

[Philip]

Also read this morning hat robot deliveries are being fast tracked for hospitals via drones. Already in use in Milton Keynes for land deliveries

[Scout]

I'm paranoid about robots and AI.