The History And Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence

The History and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Sharon Goldman

Ashford University

Eileen Cole

July 18, 2011

Contents

1. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

2. History of Artificial Intelligence

3. Artificial Intelligence in the Cinema

4. Artificial Intelligence in the Military – Positive and Negative Consequences

5. Conclusion

6. References

The History and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Introduction

The science and creation of artificial intelligence has been around far longer than most people realize, and will result in many positive and negative influences on society in the future. These computer controlled humanoid and android creations are capable of good and evil. Robotic technology usage varies from military aggression to housekeeping. Movies portray these human-like inventions as both endearing and frightening. In reality, will their behavior be controllable as they become more human-like? Weighing these positive and negative possible outcomes is a complex and extremely difficult undertaking. As they become more like humans in every way, will they be indistinguishable from their human models? Will they think independently from humans and become uncontrollable? These are queries deserving much consideration.

History of Robotic Inventions

One of the earliest robotic inventions recorded was a mechanical bird in 350 B.C. by Archytas the Greek mathematician of Tarentum. It was steam propelled and considered one of the earliest studies of flight. (Belfast Telegraph, 2007) In 200 BC, the Greek physicist and inventor Ctesibus of Alexandria invented the water clock. It measured time by water falling through it at a constant rate. Until that time, the Greeks used hour glasses that were continually turned over after all the sand ran through them. This was an extraordinary...