By: Hettie Basil Lighttower

Well, here we are again. Already a full week has flown by. We are a week into our future. Time has seemed to be travelling and moving very quickly. Each day new inventions are marketed, are conceived and being presented. These inventions revolve around us having to do less and less for ourselves. Some of these inventions are quite welcome and do give us more time to do things that bring us joy. Since time is fleeting, we are open to these that provide the more desired time.
Last week we talked about futuristic tell-a-vision shows. At the time of their inception most of what we saw on the screen was very much of the imagination. However, now many of those imaginary tools and gimmicks are a part of our everyday lives. And the progress continues. There is now a substance called Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is more or less a computerized framework within an invention that can collect, store and utilize information it is subjected to. An online dictionary gives this description: Artificial Intelligence “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines”. This was coined in 1956.
So,we find ourselves having to define what we call intelligence. And also, to define “artificial”. Artificial means “not natural”. Intelligence means “capacity for comprehension”. Now, we have a combination here of an unnatural capacity for comprehension. This sounds scary to me. I like things to be natural. Although many conveniences have made our lives easier, the snowball is rolling down the hill fast as greed and laziness overwhelm mankind. And now we have to live with unnatural comprehension. This situation is only saturating us deeper and deeper. How will our lives look ten or twenty years from now?
Man programs these machines, but now so much information has been programmed into these machines that they can artificially think for themselves. How is that possible? In circumstances of our safety and well-being, I suppose it is very good and very accepted. Look at our cars these days for instance, with all the new sensors of when we back up, put on our brakes quickly, waver to close to the center and right side of the road our vehicles will automatically give a warning, correct our action and even just shut down the motor! Yikes. And these are just a few characteristics of our vehicles. AI is now in nearly everything we engage in. Toasters, washers, dryers, notebooks, sewing machines, lights, chalkboards, toys, work equipment, health equipment, surgery are all subjects of where AI is now. The list is endless. We are practically living like the Jetsons; in many ways we are.
What is your opinion on AI? Do you think it is the best thing we have ever done? Does it excite you? Does it frighten you? What are some examples of AI in your life that you can’t believe you ever lived without? All those episodes on Star Trek and the Twilight Zone showing machines making decisions or being companions is now our reality. Quite frankly, I’m not happy about it. I believe being human is important and having a soul is even more important. The things that are not with soul really bother me. Do you know that currently there are drones on the police force in some cities? Yikes….. What is your opinion about that? Is that good, that a drone can track a criminal down quicker than a human can? I suppose it is fantastic!!! They can’t just get away or hide anymore.
I think my main concern is accountability. If we use this wonderful super-human opportunity of AI for the good and in the right way I would have less concerns full of fear. But you will never find me in the position of having an AI baby in a stroller, or an AI pet on a leash, or an AI bird in a cage, or an AI spouse or sexual partner as are others in not so distant countries. It is a disturbing concept, but yes, it is “D: all the above” happening currently. Not only is it happening, but it is also accepted. I hope humanity uses AI wisely and not for completely replacing flesh and blood and soul. In the meantime, you will not find me in the self-checkout lines supporting AI for my convenience and taking money from the pockets of those with a soul with a family to feed and a life to live.
Send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. I will include them in the next available column as per their arrival relative to the publication deadline of Tuesday by 12 p.m. of the same week. If you wish to be anonymous let me know. Kindness is contagious~*