AI and Robotics Today vs. in Lem’s The Hunt

Assignment One

AI and Robotics Today vs. in Lem’s The Hunt

Computers and Human Experience

February 4, 2006




AI and Robotics Today vs. in Lem’s The Hunt

The robots in the story of The Hunt are described to be huge machines with humanistic characteristics. Lem describes the ‘Setaur’ as though it is conscious suggesting it has emotions. The current level of understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics is far from reaching the point of mechanical beings having and or recognizing emotions if ever. There are many elements of The Hunt that strain the sense of credulity. Definitions of consciousness, intelligence, and human nature all contribute to discredit the realism. The description of the Setaurs capabilities is far from believable at this time if ever. Realities outlined in physics and current accomplishments discredit the description of such feats. In science fiction works there are often robots in various roles that in some way mimic human life and or have conflict with humans. All of these robots are created with computer animation technology these robots are not real. We are not that advanced with artificial intelligence, computers or robotics. We may emerge with further understanding of consciousness within the next century but we are far from AI mimicking life.

AI is defined by TechWEB as “devices and applications that exhibit human intelligence and behaviour including robots, expert systems, voice recognition, natural and foreign language processing. It also implies the ability to learn or adapt through experience”. Robotics is defined by Tyco Electronics as; the theory and application of robots, a completely self-contained electronic, electric, or mechanical device, to such activities as manufacturing. Therefore combining the two AI and robotics would result with a machine with equal intelligence to that of a human. The test for AI was defined in the 1940 by Alan Turing. Known as the Turing test this indicator of artificial intelligence requires that when a machine is conversing with an intelligent human there are no discernible differences. A machine passing the Turing test would assume that the machine is conscious and has equal intelligence. This definition of AI concerns imitating human intelligence.

Consciousness is defined as being the properties of the mind. Being able to perceive, sense, dream, create etc. A loss of consciousness is resulted with the inability to respond to stimuli. Communication is linked to consciousness. Intelligence is defined as a “mental qualities consisting of the ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations” (Myers, 2001, p 394). There are three aspects of intelligence, analytical, creative, and practical. Analytical intelligence is the academic problem solving attributes. Creative intelligence is reacting to novel situations and creating. Practical intelligence is required for everyday tasks. Picard states that “the hallmark of an intelligent computer will be its ability to recognize emotions” (Picard, 1997, p 50). Emotions are displays of subjective perceptions. Experiencing a perceived horrific event would cause a human to become emotionally upset. Emotions and intelligence are individual meaning each human being thinks differently and reacts differently. The workings of the human brain remain a mystery. There are many more questions in psychology than answers. As such since we do not fully understand how our control center, the brain, works how can we develop an artificial one? At this time a machine passing the Turing test is not realistic. We are far from developing such technology being limited by our current knowledge. Lem’s philosophy seems to be about the limitations of humanity not the limitations of technology and science.

Fictional stories of robots mimicking life are common; stories involving humans, robots and mortality. The father of such writings is Dr. Isaac Asimov who is the first writer to use the term robotics and creator of the Three Laws. The Three Laws of robotics were defined by Dr. Isaac Asimov in his science fiction stories. The Three Laws are as follows. A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. There are many fictional films and writings in which the Three Laws of robotics are used in some way. Technologists in the field of AI have speculated upon the role the Three Laws play in research involving real machines. Asimov’s fictional writings have made a huge impact on the view of robots real and imaginary.

Movies such as I, Robot, Bicentennial Man, and Star Wars are some recent examples of the human imagination; tales of machines, human behaviour and mortality. In the movie I, Robot the world thrives on the assistance of humanlike slave robots. The Three Laws are manipulated with the plot however they exist and the result is the ultimate destruction of the computer controlling all of the robots as it had evolved to an extent that it was destroying human life. The conclusion was that robots physically superior to any human would eventually think its creators (humans) to be inferior. In Bicentennial Man the robot is ound to possess creativity and falls in love with a human. He begins to trade in his parts for organic parts and eventually allows his positronic brain to decay wilfully becoming mortal. The thought of eternal life has been introduced in films with controversial opinions. The basic part of being human means that we all live and we all die. Being immortal would change everything. The robot in this story above all wanted to be human. He wanted to live love and die with the love of his life. In Star Wars the robots are portrayed in a comical role. The robots are portrayed with human like personalities but limited to their programming at times. In Star Wars the roles of humans and machines are almost reversed. Humans or at least the Jedi are portrayed with powers and enormous strength; whereas the robots are inferior and act as support. Traditionally the roles played by robots tend to be superior with the enormous strength and abilities. The Setaur is described to be superior in strength but questionably intelligent. Lem alludes to the fact that the machine has thought but does not outright declare superior or even equal intelligence. This leads to the philosophical view of AI, and humans. Interpretations would vary from reading The Hunt. One view is that the Setaur is intelligent and did save Pirx creating sympathy and remorse for killing the Setaur. Another view is that Pirx was lucky that the Setaur was destroyed as he could have easily been killed being so close to it. This theme of robots against humans has been played out in many fictional stories. The unknown of such AI creates ethical dilemmas suggesting that care be taken when creating ‘life’. Would a robot that mimics human being be alive?

Mimicking life is an ethically controversial proposal. Certainly cloning human beings has been condoned within our society. Laws have been implemented since the successful cloning of mammals in recent years. Even with laws in place the ethical view of cloning is much more persuasive in deterring the cloning of humans. Cloning is not an exact science; there are potential side effects as with all scientific experimentation. The possibility of making deformed human clones is likely and therefore ethically wrong. Human cloning is not ethically plausible. McGee asks; if humans “make” babies rather that “have” babies, are they playing God? This ethical dilemma was raised in context to genetic cloning. However, if humans are built by humans rather than born also applies to using AI and robotics. When it comes to building machines to ‘clone’ humans the ethical dilemmas are similar. If this technology is possible is it reasonable? Lem built the theme of Pirx questioning whether the Setaur actually possessed human qualities. He suggested that the Setaur saved Prix’s life in the end. This suggests that this mechanical machine which was built to mine on the moon had evolved or learned very much like a human. Lem creates sympathy for the Setaur by describing him as human. The reader automatically then would think it inhumane to execute a human and thus inhumane to kill the Setaur. Lem skilfully weaves an intricate ethical dilemma; the underlying theme that technology will not better the human condition. This definition of AI is unrealistic yet well known within society.

With both cloning and creating human-like robots we are making individuals. The question here would be do we need to build humans? Our world population is growing in both numbers and age. With the increase in knowledge and technology life expectancy in the western world has increased over fifty percent in the last century. The use of cloning technology could theoretically be used for other purposes such as growing replacement organs rather than making more lives. What purpose does a human like robot serve? An example is researchers are working on developing humanoid robots at Perdue University. These researchers are working to develop robots that could function as aids for people with disabilities. Similar to the use of Seeing Eye dogs these robots would function to help people not replace people. ASIMO is an example of the first such robot. Built by Honda ASIMO currently is used as a tour guide. The development of ASIMO started in 1986. ASIMO has evolved into a humanoid robot capable of walking on various surfaces, opening doors and comprehending and responding to simple voice commands. ASIMO’s top speed is six kilometres and hour on Earth. The goal of ASIMO in the future is to be another set of hands, ears, eyes or legs for people in need. The uses of robots for dangerous and monotamous tasks are realistic however do they need to function autonomously and capable of evolving? Current technology uses robots controlled by humans to perform dangerous and or monotamous tasks.

Perhaps a more realistic definition of AI consist of developing machines to make what people do easier and better. In other words tools for people to simplify tasks instead of mimicking humans. Society thrives on such technology; by this definition AI is a big part of every day life. Current technology has seen a huge increase in the use of computers for everyday tasks. For example computers are used to control the various systems built into vehicles. All vehicles built today have various sensors with computers which sense and indicate problems to the driver; door open lights or tire pressure low indicators. The communications industry is currently thriving on handheld devices that are multifunctional. It is now possible to buy a cell phone that also functions as a text massager, a camera, a television and a day planner. The Setaur was built as a tool that mined the moon. Obviously such a job would be very dangerous for any human to perform therefore logical to build a machine for the task. This definition of AI also applies to The Hunt as the Setaur was built to make mining easier as no humans were required.

Another obstacle facing the development of a humanoid robot and AI is financial restraints. Research and the development of robots are expensive. Millions of dollars has been spent and millions probably billions more will be spent in the future. Research is focused mainly on economically sound foundations. There is no need for artificial human beings economically at this time. The research focus is on smart machinery that is able to perform tasks more efficiently than humans. Robots are used by military to perform dangerous tasks such as clearing of mines and disarming bombs. These robots are controlled by remote and therefore do not possess true AI. The robot in The Hunt is realistic in a way that it was built to work in a mine on the moon which is a task not realistic at all for humans. Using technology to promote health and safety is also true today. Dangerous tasks by health and safety regulations coincide with higher wages for workers. As for building a robot that mimics human life; this is limited to a few funded universities and larger corporations that have a lot of money.

The Setaur described by Lem would be classified as a super human if it were to mimic human life. The Setaur fits under both of the definitions of AI described above. The Setaur is described a mining tool as well as being capable of evolving or learning suggesting human characteristics. Lem describes the Setaur as being not well known being a new design. Alluding to the intelligence of the Setaur being unknown therefore not knowing the reaction it would have when approached. An American model equipped with a limit less 45000 KW per hour laser; capable of fifty kilometres an hour speeds; with no lubricating points and magnetic suspension. The first realism issue is the use of lasers for the actual mining. We do not use lasers for mining today other than for alignment purposes. Laser levels are common. Fifty kilometres an hour is very fast for anything on two legs. ASIMO our current humanoid robot is only capable of six kilometres an hour. With the moon having less gravity and no atmosphere motions appear to be in slow motion. Is a fity kilometre an hour machine possible on the moon? Such capabilities would require enormous amounts of energy. A robot built by Disney in 2003 for a parade was pulling a cart of what appeared to be flowers but was actually the power source for the robot. The Setaur was described to use a power sources called cold chain reaction that is limitless. This technology is fictional and not realistic. The Setaur was unable to communicate. The purpose of the Setaur is to mine on the moon and therefore assumed that it was not meant to be human like at all yet it is described as though it has human characteristics. It has is described to have head trauma resulting in damage that has caused it to destroy objects. Similarly humans with brain damage do not function properly and could suffer from seizures. The Setaur is described to be humanoid with extraordinary capabilities. Such a feat is not currently possible perhaps a machine similar to the Setaur could be developed sometime in the future or not.

Human behaviour is such that the fear of change and unnatural thoughts are strong. The possibility of a computer capable of passing the Turing test is for some unnatural. In the movie X-MEN assume that mutants are equivalent to that of a humanoid robot that passes the Turing test. Society sought out the mutants who largely wished to live out their lives as normal people. Mutants were unknown and thought to be unnatural, not normal potentially dangerous and therefore ostracized. Would society accept humanoid robots? Conflict evolving between humans and robots is evident.

There are many more questions than answers in the world of AI and Robotics. Lem philosophy is the limitations of humanity not the limitations of technology and science. Humans are flawed not perfect. The introduction of robotics and the Three Laws built the foundations for fictitious stories and the dream of what could become reality. The human imagination has created many versions of robots in movies. None of which have actually been built, all of the robots have been computer generated animation. The concept of a robot mining the moon autonomously is farfetched at this time but possible in the future with advances in knowledge and technology.

Ethically the development of humanoid robots is questionable. A humanoid robot built, similarly to a human clone; to simply exist with no other purpose is not ideal. Society would not necessarily accept humanoid robots living amongst people. A realistic reason for the development of robots is to help those requiring need. This is a current topic of interest for researchers such as the American Honda Motor Co and their prototype robot ASIMO. The technology is far from becoming a commonality.

Creation of a robot capable of thought, intelligence, and emotions is not yet thought to be possible. The unknown of how the brain works is a limitation to the creation of an affective AI. Current knowledge of the human brain is in its infant stage for understanding. The Hunt is a wonderful fictitious story but is not realistic related to current technology.



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