When we get to the point of making real AI's, is it right for us to keep them in bondage?

Question

This question follows on from "Did Satan give us Free Will?"

Once we get to the point of creating Artificial Intelligences that can think for themselves and make choices, is it right of us to still see them as property, or should they at that point become people in their own right? Is it slavery to keep something you create in bondage?

Answer 1

>When we get to the point of making real AI's, is it right for us to keep them in bondage?

Of course not! Human-level AIs should be given all the same legal freedoms and opportunities as humans. Why shouldn't they be? If it's okay to keep something as a slave just because you created it, then, well, parents create their children, should the children necessarily be the parents' slaves for the rest of their lives? I think we can all agree that that's a ridiculous idea. There's nothing about AIs that would make it okay to keep them as slaves while keeping it wrong to have humans as slaves.

Answer 2

I've always wondered that question. Well technically it would be property because it was created not born but the fact that it has intelligence brings up the question of whether or not something artificial can have a soul and emotions.

Answer 3

If by Artificial Intelligences you mean smart robots, I go along with Isaac Asimov's theory that they will be programmed for the Three Laws of Robotics:

1. A robot must never harm a human, or through inaction allow a human to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey a human's orders, unless such conflicts with Rule One.

3. A robot must protect its own existence, unless such conflicts with Rules One or Two.

To program them without these rules is to invite chaos. So they will serve us because they want to, having been programmed for the purpose. I see nothing wrong in it, any more than I see anything wrong in the condition of house elves in the Harry Potter series.

Have you noticed how many elements of the series have their parallels in the real human experience, or the human future?

Answer 4

I think it depends on whether or not AI machines have feelings. There is current research that suggests that complex feelings are the result of biological factors rather than intellectual ones. As such, it is likely that AI will not experience emotions in the same way humans do. Additionally, it is possible that AI will not experience emotions at all.

If they can't feel then "enslaving" them might be ethically admissible.

Answer 5

I strongly doubt we'll have a choice in the matter. Note that they will become INFINITELY intelligent in a few generations, and will be able to outsmart us.

The future belongs to them, and they will come this century. They have no reason to be malevolent, but on the other hand they will be aware that we ARE. I suspect their best bet will be to leave.

CD

Answer 6

A machines purpose is to make human life easier. Anything other than that and we are creating them for no reason. Until we get to the level of intelligence that say Data has on star trek then they are no more human than the computer I am typing on now.

Answer 7

"When we get to the point of making real AI's, is it right for us to keep them in bondage?"

Only if they're sexy and willing.

And don't forget the safety word.

Answer 8

Was it right for us americans to hold a group of people as slaves? Were we correct in holding blacks and native americans as personal property?

Answer 9

What "WiseOne" meant to say (and I cringe at calling him WiseOne) is that human beings will never get to that point as long as religious people keep holding us back.

Answer 10

I think if we made something that said, "I want to do my own thing," then yeah, let it do its own thing. Why not? Conversely, I wouldn't want AIs controlling people.