Guide Questions for Bill Joy’s The Future Doesn’t Need Us

1. What significance does Bill Joy give to John Searl’s argument against the possibility of artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence cannot be created since consciousness cannot be programmed.Consciousness is like emotions and emotions are not physical. This non-physical form of emotions prevent scientists from attempting to input consciousness into AI.

2. Describe the “distopian scenario” that Bill Joy recounts in this article.

The dystopian scenario describes a world where humans are “transformed into an unbounded super intelligent robots, and that this transformation would extinct the human race gradually.

3. Do you accept that such a scenario is possible? Support your position.

Although I hope such a scenario would never happen, I think it is possible. As Bill states, “if [all human beings] could agree on what we wanted, where we were headed, and why, then we might understand what we can and should relinquish. Otherwise, we can easily imagine an arms race developing over GNR (genetic, nanotechnology, and robotic) technologies, as it did with the NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) technologies in the 20^th century.” In other words, unless all scientists, engineers, and public adopt a strong code of ethical conduct, which I do not think would happen easily mainly because of each individual’s different interests, dystopian scenario described above is possible to occur. Human cloning that has raised various ethical issues, for example, is already at its practice by numerous scientists in Europe regardless of possible destruction of human race.

4. Describe Joy’s image of the technological environment of the 21^st century. Do you find this a credible prediction?

Joy states that by year 2030, machines a million times as powerful as the personal computers of today are likely to be built. For example, an intelligent robot that can make evolved copies of itself would be built to do our work and allow us to have leisure life. People will also replace themselves with robotic technology to achieve near immortality by downloading their consciousness. Though I do not want to, I find this a credible prediction mainly because technology seems to be improving to enhance easier life for people and many people do not appear to care or object in losing the nature of life.

5. What are some of the technical changes that will have to emerge, according to Bill Joy, that will radically change, (increase), the “intellectual potential” of the computer?

According to Bill Joy, emerge of molecular electronics will radically change the intellectual potential of the computer. Through molecular electronics, robots can achieve self-replication and a lot more.

6. Describe some of the terroristic potential of vastly increased computing power, according to Bill Joy.

Some of the terroristic potentials of vastly increased computing power are; creating species with cloning, revolutionizing agriculture with genetically engineered food (such as built-in vitamin A rice), and creating a White Plague.

7. How does Joy express some of his hopes for the future? What are some of the cautions that he suggests have to be in place in order to sustain such a hope?

Joy hopes that people would prepare and take careful actions in approaching practices of new technologies. Joy expresses that people should not “simply do [their] science,” but rather, be concerned and worried about ethical issues dealing with science. Joy states that when scientists think that it is too difficult to “shields” or hide their discoveries, the only alternative is relinquishment. Relinguishment would limit development of the technologies that are too dangerous by limiting our pursuit of certain kinds of knowledge.

8. Assess Bill Joy’s overall vision of the future—what is possible and what is probable. What do you believe are the most important technological considerations in our local, national, and global approach to the future?

Joy’s overall vision of the future is that we will live well as long as scientific discoveries are conducted in careful and right practices. While Joy feels uncomfortable constructing what may replace human species in about 30 years, he also feels that if used right, his tools may help prolonged the existence of human species. Personally, I believe that the most important technological consideration comes from careful determination of weather permitting or relinquishing the uses of any new discoveries.