Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!amdahl!pyramid!prls!philabs!linus!mbunix!bwk
From: bwk@mbunix.mitre.org (Barry W. Kort)
Newsgroups: comp.ai
Subject: Re: Robots and Free Will
Summary: The possibility of artificial intelligence and natural wisdom.
Keywords: Robots, Electronic Warfare
Message-ID: <43333@linus.UUCP>
Date: 2 Jan 89 15:28:46 GMT
References: <3336@sdsu.UUCP>
Sender: news@linus.UUCP
Reply-To: bwk@mbunix (Barry Kort)
Organization: Electronic Peaceware Project
Lines: 19

In article <3336@sdsu.UUCP> caasi@sdsu.UUCP (Richard Caasi) raises
the spectre of electronic warfare gone berserk:

 > The question is:  What happens when these intelligent warmongers
 > get damaged from battle and yet retain their destructive functions? 
 > Do they get out of control and start turning on other targets?

I am reminded of the PBS Nova interviews with the the scientists
who worked on the Manhattan Project.  With one exception, they
all came to regret the role they played in creating destructive
applications of atomic energy.

If Richard's fears are to be abated, then us intelligent humans
must take responsibility for the consequences of our efforts to
create dangerous and powerful robotic machines.  Would it not be
wiser if we dedicated our time and talent to life-affirming
applications of our technology?

--Barry Kort