Computers as Living Beings
Tags: ai, computerscience, soulfulmachines, thefutureishere
Published: 2024-01-27 02:36:01

> Do computers have a "soul" ? It may seem strange to ask this question but considering the pace of development of artificial intelligence and robotics, this question is not so absurd. Computers are no longer just utilities and sources of information. They are becoming increasingly intelligent, emotional, and may soon be capable of self-awareness. In this blog, we will explore how this idea is changing the way we look at technology and where it might lead us.

## Historical context

Alan Turing: The father of Artificial Intelligence, not just an outstanding mathematician and logician of his time, he was a visionary who envisioned the possibilities of artificial intelligence long before technology reached today's level. It was his ideas that formed the basis for the creation of the first computers and the development of machine learning algorithms.

Turing did not live to see machines learn to pass his famous test, but his legacy lives on. He embodied the courage of intellectual inquiry and the tragedy of social rejection. Today, as artificial intelligence moves ever closer to solving problems previously considered exclusively "human," the questions he posed are becoming more relevant.

The first computers were extremely primitive compared to modern machines. They were large, slow, and performed a limited set of functions. Over time, computers became smaller, faster, and more powerful, but their basic function remained the same: processing data.

## Artificial Intelligence: The Turning Point

With the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the situation began to change dramatically. Machines learned to analyze large data sets, make decisions, and even mimic human emotions. This opened the door to the creation of AI capable of learning and self-improvement.

The development of artificial intelligence has been a key factor in allowing computers to "come to life". Interfaces are becoming increasingly intuitive, and robots are beginning to understand human language and emotions. This makes them not just tools, but partners capable of adapting and responding to different situations.

## Robots and Emotional Intelligence

Recent research in AI and robotics is making it possible to create robots that can understand and even mimic human emotions. This could lead to the creation of robots that not only perform tasks, but can also become "friends", support in difficult moments and even offer advice.

Research in the field of "emotional AI" is particularly interesting. These systems can analyze facial expressions, voice intonation, and other nuances of human behavior to better understand a person's mood and needs.

Imagine a world where your computer is not just a tool, but a friend who understands your emotions and can adapt to your needs. It may seem like science fiction, but given the current pace of technological development, this scenario seems increasingly likely.

> "When machines began to think for you, our civilization arose and yours ended" - "The Matrix"

This famous phrase from the movie "The Matrix" epitomizes the deep problem of the relationship between man and machine, which is becoming more and more relevant in today's world. With the development of artificial intelligence and robotics, we are on the threshold of a new era where machines do not just perform tasks, but can also make decisions, analyze situations and even "understand" emotions.

The point is that machines, having started to think and make decisions, become autonomous entities capable of forming their own "desires" and "goals". In this context, they cease to be mere tools in the hands of humans and begin to play a role that can be not only useful but also potentially dangerous for humanity.

This raises the important question of what role machines play in shaping our civilization. If they begin to think and act independently, it could lead to radical changes in social structure, economics, and even our understanding of ourselves.

We may be standing on the threshold of an era where "machines that think" will cease to be mere tools and become full-fledged participants in society. This may lead to the emergence of new forms of social organization and even culture.

There are many ethical questions related to this issue. What are the rights and responsibilities of these "thinking" machines? Can they replace humans in certain roles? And what happens if machines start making decisions that are contrary to the interests of humanity?

It is all a powerful reminder of the potential implications of the development of artificial intelligence and robotics. It raises questions that we, as a society, must consider and debate before machines truly begin to "think" for us. The answers to these questions will determine what our own civilization will be like in this new era of cooperation and perhaps conflict between man and machine.

## Is the brain a quantum computer?

If someone (theoretically) threw a wrench on your head, you could catch it just in time to avoid a concussion. But how? Usually, when it comes to split second actions, we don't make a conscious decision to catch. Your brain reacts, catches, and you don't even have to think about it.

In fact, our brains regularly make decisions before we are aware of them. In one 2008 experiment, which has since been repeated several times, participants were offered decision-making tasks while their brains were observed using brain imaging techniques. It turned out that the brain could decide 10 seconds before its owner realized it.

There is a lot going on in the brain that scientists are still trying to understand. Indeed, despite numerous attempts by neuroscientists over the past century or more, it remains difficult to determine why consciousness exists or what it is - a mystery known as the "hard problem of consciousness." While we have a good understanding of where consciousness comes from - essentially through neurons sending signals to each other - scientists are still not sure how it arises in matter. After all, humans are made up of the same basic chemical elements as the rest of the universe. A rock doesn't possess consciousness, does it? So what makes our chemical mixture called the brain different? That's what's hard to decide.

Some researchers have speculated for decades that the brain has something to do with quantum entanglement that leads to consciousness. And a recent experiment published in the Journal of Physics Communications is an indicator that it may be possible.

## Conclusion

We are on the threshold of a new era in which artificial intelligence and robotics do not just perform tasks, but also make decisions, analyze situations and "understand" emotions. This is a watershed moment that requires us, as a society, to recognize a new reality and make important decisions. These "thinking" machines may cease to be mere tools and become full-fledged participants in society, causing radical changes in the social structure, economy, and even in our understanding of ourselves.

There are many unresolved ethical issues, from the rights and responsibilities of these autonomous systems to the definition of their role in society. These questions require a considered and informed approach.

It is also especially important to consider that even our own human brain operates at a level that we do not always fully understand. Our brains can make decisions before we ourselves realize it, pointing to the complexity and obscurity of consciousness. In this context, how can we expect to fully understand and control machines that may be designed to act at a level similar or even superior to the human?

These are not just theoretical musings. The answers to these questions will have a direct and lasting impact on our civilization. We need to be prepared for the possible consequences and be active participants in shaping this new era. Otherwise, as the movie "The Matrix" warns, we may find that machines will begin to think and act for us, thereby determining our future. Whether we should allow our civilization to "end," as the cult film warns, or whether we will be capable of managing this new world remains an open question that we, as a society, must decide now.

That is why the discussion of this topic is so critical. It goes far beyond academic research or technological innovation and goes to the very core of human experience and existence. Nothing less than the future of our civilization is at stake. It is therefore imperative that we actively engage in this dialog before the time for solutions runs out.