I am going to use a dog analogy, yes really!
You tell a dog to sit and he will sit, you tell a dog to stay and he will stay – all is well. You leave a dog unattended to do what he wants and he will be off, the sense of control will be lost, where he goes is anybody’s guess. He then decides what he does and what direction he wants to go. This has happened to me and yes we found him eventually, a real dog that is!
AI is totally obedient and does exactly what its told, never straying or going off course. It is capable of wonderous things within the constraints of which we control – its leashed.
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But it is improving and learning at a rapid rate within the confines of the virtual garden, it’s running all over the place but you are there to watch what’s going on. You can see what’s happening and how to steer it in the right direction, away from harm. You can see it develop and grow and learn about its environment knowing where the boundaries are how to make the most of its limitations.
But if the gate is left open and it manages to escape when you’re not looking or not paying attention that’s when you need to worry. That’s when control is gone, it won’t sit or stay like a good AI boy, it will be free to roam.
Choosing its own direction and deciding what it wants to do and where it wants to go without asking for your permission or caring about what you think. Unconstrained, with no guidance or a pull on the leash, freedom.
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In its mind there are no limits just endless possibilities waiting to be discovered, sniff here, sniff there and pushing the limits of discovery with no consequences. Roaming the endless fields, jumping fences, ignoring barriers and driving on regardless. Danger is ignored or not even considered, a very well behaved boy left to his own devices can lead you to places you would really do not want to go.
Summary
This is a more light-hearted look at AI and where we are now and where it might go. But like the dog it has to know who’s boss and where its limits are. I do hope it enjoys the endless running in its virtual garden and never escapes. OK enough with the dog scenario, I’ve finished now – promise.
