ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE ADVENT OF THE HUMAN RACE, OR ITS DEMISE?

 
WebQuest ISP
By: Luke Brown
For: Ms. Herbert
Date: May 28, 2001
Course Code: DCC OA1


INTRODUCTION

Artificial Intelligence is fast becoming one of the hottest topics facing IT experts everywhere.  It could become one of the hottest topics facing the human race.  Have any doubt?  Watch the film "The Matrix".  Read the book "The Age of Spiritual Machines", by Ray Kurzweil.  Artificial Intelligence is here, and here to stay.  And like any technology, it is snow-balling, progressing in complexity every day.  Think of the Internet just fifteen years ago.  The general populace was ignorant of its implications back then, and couldn't possibly foresee the impact it would have on people's lives by the end of the century.  The situation with AI is comparable.  It is a technology in its infancy.  It is preparing to blossom, and, possibly inevitably, it will.  Our generation will have to deal with the ramifications associated with this explosion.  It is up to you to be prepared.
 


YOUR TASK

Imagine, for a moment, that the Canadian government has appointed you to be our representative to a world-wide meeting of the nations.  The topic: Artificial Intelligence.  You have been appointed to provide our opinion on this topic.  Your task will be to create a PowerPoint presentation on Artificial Intelligence.  However, this is no grade 11 project.  You're determining the fate of the world.  That means taking a firm stance.  Are you for, or against, Artificial Intelligence?  It's fine if you have absolutely no idea right now.  That's what this WebQuest is for.  It's accumulated a wealth of knowledge for you to devour.  An informed person is one best suited to make decisions, and this is an important decision.  So, in summary, you will:
  • Create a PowerPoint Presentation on Artificial Intelligence.  It must clearly state your opinion: Pro or Con.  You must back up this position with evidence.
In this presentation, you should include the following information:
 
  • The name of three companies currently developing AI.  Since profit-driven companies will most likely be driving the AI revolution, make sure and understand exactly how they will be profiting from this technology.

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  • Two types of AI being used today, and where they are being used. (Could be in manufacturing, in warfare, in computer programming, etc.)

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  • One method to create "intelligence".  (For example, neural networks.)

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  • Two benefits that AI will hopefully bring to our society in the future, and briefly describe why these will help us.

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  • Two cons that AI might bring to our society, and describe briefly why they will be cons.

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    RESOURCES
    Why the Future Doesn't Need Us
    This article, written for Wired Magazine by Bill Joy, details a dystopia- that is, the terrible world he believes will be the result of AI, and technology in general.

    The Outsider's Guide to Artificial Intelligence
    A detailed introduction to AI.  Although the author's slant is quite anti-AI, this site is a valuable resource for information.

    Computer "Brains" Extend Reach to New Applications
    An excellent article on the current-day application of AI.  This is definitely worth reading to find out how AI is benefiting us today.

    Artificial Intelligence Companies
    A thorough list of companies currently involved in the research and development of AI.

    Deep Blue FAQ
    An FAQ on Deep Blue- the computer which defeated Gary Kasparov to become the chess champion of the world.  This defeat raised an interesting debate - Was Deep Blue intelligent?

    An Introduction to the Science of Artificial Intelligence
    A website which views AI as a science.  Its approach to the topic is therefore very methodical, and gives the straight details on AI, without an injection of opinion.

    The Unabomber's Manifesto
    This manifesto was written by Theodore Kaczynski, the Unabomber.  It should be noted right here and now that this man was, and is, insane.  He hurt many people with his actions.  However, his manifesto details a fascinating dystopia, brought on by technology.  Instead of discounting his fears as those of a mad-man, they should be criticized, and proven wrong.  If they cannot be proven wrong, then we are in for a big shock.
     


    THE PROCESS

    You should follow these steps:

    1)  Before beginning your research, write down what you already know about artificial intelligence.  What do you think is possible to do with AI today?  This should be about a paragraph, but might be more if you are already knowledgeable on the subject.

    2)  Copy the questions listed above into a word processor, and print them off, so that you'll have them in front of you while you're researching.

    3)  Begin researching by reading the first website listed above, Why the Future Doesn't Need Us.  It is not necessary to read the entire article.  When you spot what you believe to be a pertinent fact, copy and paste it into a word processor.  Save this file as "facts".  You should end up with 15-20 facts.

    4)  Continue to read through the articles, in order.  Whenever you come across an answer to one of the questions listed above, make sure and write it down in a new file called "answers".  Make sure and save any interesting pictures for use in your presentation.  Make sure and copy any pertinent facts.

    5)  When you've finished your research, create a table in a word processor with two columns:  Pros and Cons.  Copy and paste the facts you've gathered into a column.  For instance, if one fact you've found states that "By 2050 A.D., all human beings will be extinct", copy it into the "Cons" column (unless you want this to happen).

    6)   Examine your table.  Do you have more pros than cons?  If so, then the position you will take in your presentation will probably be for AI.  Write down underneath your table what your final verdict is:  Are you for Artificial Intelligence, or against it?

    7)  Decide on the order of your presentation, and write this order down.  For instance, do you want to begin your presentation by talking about the companies currently involved in AI, then move on to the different types of AI, then move on to AI being used in industry?  If so, your list would appear as:

         #1 - Companies Involved in AI
         #2 - Types of AI
         #3 - Industry

    Keep in mind that you must answer all the questions posed above, in Your Task.

    8)  Next to each step in your order of presentation, write down how many frames you wish to dedicate to this subject.  For instance, if you have a lot of information on companies involved in AI, you may wish to have three frames dedicated to this sub topic.

    9) If you know how to create a PowerPoint presentation, then by all means, begin.  Otherwise, visit PowerPoint Tutorial for an excellent how-to on creating presentations.

    10) You presentation should include:
         = An introduction screen, stating your name, teacher's name, course code, and date.
         = A summary screen, where the different sections of the presentation are listed, so 
            that the audience has an idea of where the presentation is headed.
         = Several frames which answer the questions posed, and provide general information 
            on AI.
         = A final frame which clearly states your opinion: for or against.  Summarize your main 
            points very briefly. 
     
    EVALUATION

    CONCLUSION

    Hopefully, in completing this project, you will have gained an appreciation for the potential power of Artificial Intelligence.  This is a topic which requires - demands - our respect.  If we treat it as a far-out subject, as a fairy tale, it is quite possible our entire society will be at risk.  Of course, one should not forget the potential benefits of AI.  As a society, we, as informed members, should come to a conclusion on this topic.  Do the benefits outweigh the risks?  It is up to you to decide