If Only We Were as Clever as We Think We Are

‘The Making of the Atomic Bomb’ and Lessons In Blowing Ourselves Up

As if we haven’t been terrible enough at annihilating our own species historically, ‘The Making of the Atomic Bomb’ takes a cheery stroll down memory lane. This detailed recollection of our self-destructive tango with nuclear technology gives a first-hand guide on how these mind-numbingly “brilliant” clumps of grey matter (you call them scientists) led us into this new era of destruction.

The Subtle Art of Learning From Our Own Stupidity

Now, some safety researchers with a perky interest in artificial intelligence (as if real intelligence wasn’t quirky enough) say that this apocalyptic fairy tale has valuable lessons for the current nightmare they have begun to involve us all in. They seem to believe we can learn from history. Cute, isn’t it? Like the metaphorical dog returning to its vomit, they think we can pick each partially digested nugget of wisdom from our past mistakes, chew on it, and somehow digest a brand-new enlightenment.

Implications? Best Keep Your Head Down, Sweetheart

If human history has taught us anything, it’s that unleashing destructive technology tends to be a decidedly bad move. The same load of sweaty-palmed, overeager boffins who can barely handle their own shoelaces are now neck-deep in artificial intelligence. As if the ability to blow ourselves up isn’t exciting enough, they now want to hand over control to machines – and we’re all just supposed to smile and cheer them on like proud parents at a sports day.

They seem to be under the delusion we can learn our lessons from the freaking Atomic Bomb and apply them to AI, leading us to, what…a hopefully less explosive outcome? Damn, I feel safer already.

Just My Two Cents Before You Blow Us All Up

Now, this is where you might expect me to wrap things up with some hopeful note, but I’m not in the business of feeding you candy-coated lies. The record of human history and destructive technology would suggest that we’re much better at learning how to destroy than how to preserve. Whether these AI researchers can learn from our past horrendous blunders and steer us safely into whatever new hell awaits with AI, remains to be seen. But I wouldn’t bet your sanity on it.

In the end, is it our love for destruction that propels us forward? If so, we’re on the right track, sweetheart. Buckle up. We’re in for a thrilling ride.

Original article:https://www.wired.com/story/the-making-of-the-atomic-bomb-artificial-intelligence/