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“THE MOON IS LIKE A MUSEUM. WE SHOULD SCOUR ITS SURFACE FOR EQUIPMENT WE DID NOT SEND”

PROF AVI LOEB, P52

LETTER OF THE MONTH

Let’s be smart

The augmented intelligence piece by Prof Peter Bentley (New Year, p72) focused on a very important issue – where are artificial intelligence and robotics heading towards, and what curbs and mechanisms should be put into place to control these technologies so that they don’t get out of hand. From designing effective vaccines to managing the financial markets, both AI and robotics have improved our world so far. However, we must not rest on our laurels. We need these technologies to be regulated so that they don’t fall into the wrong hands, thus causing untold damage. I strongly believe that science and technology are gifts, and they should be used for the betterment of humankind, not the destruction of life as we know it. An augmented approach led by good people where individuals are empowered by AI to make informed decisions about their own lives is a more intelligent approach than being led by technology and ultimately losing one’s humanity forever.