Julia's Blog

Intelligence, as described by Google, is the ability to apply knowledge and skills. Is that all intelligence is? Or is intelligence a combination of seven distinct intelligences (visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical), as Howard Gardner claims? Or should we define intelligence with the definition of artificial intelligence, which is the intelligence exhibited by machines? Ultimately, I think the question of the definition of intelligence was the question most seen during our discussion today. While I am sure that each person participating in the discussion today believes in their own personal intelligence, we couldn’t seem to come to an agreement regarding what intelligence truly is. My view of intelligence is most closely aligned with Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, meaning I think we all have our strengths and weaknesses when it comes to overall intelligence.

Now that there is an understanding regarding my own personal view on intelligence, I can begin a discussion on the Singularity. My understanding of the Singularity is that it is a point in artificial intelligence in which machines achieve an intelligence that is greater than that of humans, and there is no conclusion or consensus regarding what the effects and repercussions of the Singularity will be. I think the reason the Singularity sounds so frightening and obscure is the uncertainty associated with it. Humans don’t like uncertainty. We are creatures of routine who would prefer to know what tomorrow will hold in store for us. Of course, the world is not a place of certainty. Apparently, neither is artificial intelligence. The scariness of the Singularity is that no one is going to know when it is upon us. Perhaps, our technology is already surpassing the technology and it is too late to stop it. This is what scares us. There are theories regarding what will happen once the Singularity is eclipsed; however, they are just theories, of which very few agree. Will the human race become extinct, or will machines raise our moral standards and unite the world in peace and happiness? Sadly, I can’t answer that question, nor can anyone else, in my opinion.

Clearly, the Singularity poses some very difficult questions regarding what will happen in a world where machines are smarter than humans. However, there’s still another argument to ponder. Is the Singularity near on the horizon? Some say yes, some say it’s centuries away. My experience with artificial intelligence is limited, so I can’t claim to know whether or not the Singularity is near or not. However, I think computer intelligence achieving human intelligence is a more difficult concept than just computer power. Yes, in ten years a machine may be much more powerful than the human brain. My problem is that I don’t think more power equates to more intelligence. I find it difficult to believe a computer will be able to hold all the capacities of intelligence that a human has. For example, interpersonal intelligence has still not been figured out by scientists. Why do people fall in love? What is love? Do human beings have souls that exist beyond our bodies? I know these questions are more philosophical than scientific, but that’s my point. To what degree will computers be able to pose these philosophical questions. Would a computer be able to love? Have a soul? My instinct tells me no, a machine will never be able to love the same way a human being does. However, as seen time and time again, technology often supersedes what we believe is possible. Thirty years from now I may read this blog post and laugh about the idea of a machine having emotional intelligence, or I may laugh about the idea of a machine NOT having emotional intelligence. I won’t know until that day comes.