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McGinnis on Artificial Intelligence

By Lawrence Solum

John O. McGinnis (Northwestern University - School of Law) has posted Accelerating AI (Northwestern University Law Review, Forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

This essay argues for government support for ?friendly AI? - a kind of artificial intelligence that will not endanger humans. AI is not, contrary to some theorists, necessarily a threat to humans, because AI will not necessarily be anthropomorphic and possess an all-too-human will to power. Government support for friendly AI makes it more like that friendly AI will emerge before other more dangerous kinds. Moreover, such support is also justified because the acceleration of AI will aid in the analysis of the risks and benefits created by the many other kinds of technology that are also accelerating - from nanotechnology to biotechnology. Only AI of all the many accelerating technologies of our present day helps perform this crucial function. Alternative approaches to AI - relinquishment or regulation of kinds of AI that might be deemed harmful - are infeasible. Given that AI is so central to modern military power, relinquishing or inhibiting AI would empower the worst nations on earth.

Interesting & recommended. For some thought from a different perspective, see my Legal Personhood for Artificial Intelligences.

Full post as published by Legal Theory Blog on April 27, 2010 (boomark / email).