World depends on artificial intelligence

David, an artificial robot, becomes the son of Henry and Monica while their real son lies comatose in a hospital. A robot with sophisticated intelligence, David learns to love eternally but is soon abandoned when the real son recovers. This is a story depicted in the movie A.I. by Steven Spielberg.

For the past several decades, scientists around the world have been vigorously investigating creating machines that are capable of human reasoning. Although the world of artificial robots depicted in Spielberg's movie seems far-off, it is definitely a realistic scenario that may happen in a nearer future than might be imagined. In fact, algorithms have already been a big part of modern everyday life.

Last month, The New York Times published an article "An Oracle for Our Time, Part Man, Part Machine," which discusses the pervasiveness of algorithms. According to the article, when people make a Google search, or find a book on Amazon.com, they immediately encounter algorithms. The network of computers carefully read what users choose to read on the Internet, and it comes up with a statistical analysis. As people use the Internet to extract information, they are also providing computers with information about themselves. Through this "human-machine symbiosis," the "Great Algoritmi" recommends books that they might be interested in, music they might like, and even suitable characteristics in mates.

This idea of "automating judgment" is hardly new. In 1950, A.M. Turning published his article "Computing Machinery and Intelligence," marking the birthplace of the artificial intelligence movement. In his paper, Turning claims that there will be a day when the technology will be so advanced that one will hardly be able to distinguish a computer and a human being. The ultimate goal of the project is amplification of both biological and electronic intelligence, incorporating people as components of the Net and leveraging human intelligence by machines.

Boston College has joined this ambitious project of merging human intelligence and computer technology. In the past 10 years, the computer science department along with the Carroll School of Management and the Campus School, have successfully developed two technologies, the Camera Mouse, which allows people to control the computer by moving their head, and the EagleEyes, which allow people to control the computer by moving their eyes.

James Gips, a professor in the computer science department, said that the school has been very supportive. "BC aims to find God in every aspect. And I think that there should be no limit," Gips said.

Of course, the artificial intelligence, fusing of human intelligence and machines, raises many questions. In 2000, Bill Joey, chief scientist for Sun Microsystems, published an article titled "Why the future doesn't need us," addressing the danger of artificial intelligence. In his article, Joey argues that once scientists succeed in creating machines capable of making their own decisions without having human oversight, it is possible that humans will lose control over them. Also, there are several other questions to be addressed. Is it ever possible to create robots that exhibit feelings? If so, would they have any human rights? Where would they stand in the legal system?

"The goal is to create robots that are capable of ethical reasoning. They should select the action that causes the greatest good in the world. The hope is that as we try to implement ethical systems on the computer, we will learn much about the knowledge and assumptions built in the ethical theories themselves. That as we build the artificial ethical reasoning systems we will learn how to behave more ethically ourselves," Gips said.

"There is definitely a possibility that our technology become so powerful that the line that distinguishes humans and computers may blur," Gips said. He said that although there is some uncertainty and problems involved, it definitely is worth risking. "Benefits that we can obtain from artificial intelligence are enormous. Just think about how much algorithm is benefiting us today," he said. "Every time you use Internet, search for information on Google, and buy something on Amazon.com, you are benefiting from algorithm," Gips said.