­
Why I dread the thought of benign algorithms (Updated) — ICT & Computing in Education
  • Front Page
  • Search
    • Digital Education
    • Terry Freedman's Books Bulletin
  • RSS
    • Welcome
    • The "About" Page
    • Testimonials
    • CV/Resumé
    • My Writing
    • Published articles
  • Corrections Policy
Menu

ICT & Computing in Education

Articles on education technology and related topics
  • Front Page
  • Search
  • Newsletters
    • Digital Education
    • Terry Freedman's Books Bulletin
  • RSS
  • Info
    • Welcome
    • The "About" Page
    • Testimonials
    • CV/Resumé
    • My Writing
    • Published articles
  • Corrections Policy

Too protective by half?

Why I dread the thought of benign algorithms (Updated)

December 19, 2021

Ray Kurzweil predicted that:

“The technological singularity occurs as artificial intelligences surpass human beings as the smartest and most capable life forms on the Earth. Technological development is taken over by the machines, who can think, act and communicate so quickly that normal humans cannot even comprehend what is going on. The machines enter into a “runaway reaction” of self-improvement cycles, with each new generation of A.I.s appearing faster and faster. From this point onwards, technological advancement is explosive, under the control of the machines, and thus cannot be accurately predicted (hence the term “Singularity”).”

— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predictions_made_by_Ray_Kurzweil#2045:_The_Singularity

This idea is sometimes used by people to predict that machines, having no further use for us, will decide to get rid of us once and for all.

But what if intelligent computers decide, instead, to look after us, and protect us from ourselves?

For example, if we extrapolate from the existence of driverless cars, will there come a time when we won’t be able to drive — because either our laws or our machines won’t allow us to? No doubt the number and severity of road accidents would be cut, which would be an advantage. But what about those of us who not only enjoy driving, but are pretty good at it?

What would be good, I think, would be to introduce a law whereby passing your driving test isn’t enough — mainly because if our cars won’t let us drive then driving tests are irrelevant. However, for those of us willing to put the time and effort into undertaking — and passing — an advanced driving course, there should be a dispensation of some sort. That is to say, such people should be permitted to drive if they wish.

Can you imagine the furore on social media about such 'discrimination', the 'nanny state' and so on?

This is just one area in which the singularity might be characterised by computers being so protective of us that life is simply not lived to the full.

We can glean some feeling of this from what is already happening with kids. In 2015 I watched a tv series called Back in Time for the Weekend, in which a typical British family spends a week living through a previous decade.

During their period in the 1960s (I think), the youngest, who is about 12, said that he had been allowed to play in the park with his friends, without his parents around, for the first time in his life. An article in the Daily Mail newspaper in 2013 bears this out:

“Half of adults played outside at least seven times a week when they were growing up — but less than a quarter of children are allowed as much freedom today.”

— http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2385722/Parents-anxieties-children-playing-indoors-Fears-traffic-strangers-leading-creeping-disappearance-youngsters-parks.html

(A few days ago we were watching a film about London, made in 1967. Some of the shots were of children playing in the street, and both my wife and I commented on how lovely it was. That’s sad.)

Imagine being in the situation where your kitchen won’t allow you to rustle up an egg in case you burn yourself, your car won’t allow you to drive to the shops to get the eggs in the first place, and if you try to contact a few friends to invite them over for an eggy breakfast your computerised contacts system won’t allow you to because sometimes they wind you up and raise your blood pressure.

There used to be a programme called Sliders on tv, in which the central characters moved temprorarily into alterntive versions of their own universe. In one such variant, fast food restaurants woudn't serve you a hamburger unless you could produce a medical certificate stating that you were fit enough (in terms of heart, cholesterol etc) to eat it.

At least there you would have the option of threatening the vendor (if you're that way inclined) or attempting to bribe him (ditto), but how do you circumvent orders dictated by a computer following an algorithm?

An earlier version of this article was originally published on the ICT & Computing and Medium websites. For more discussion points to use in your classroom, sign up for Digital Education, my free newsletter.

In News & views, Unintended consequences, From the Archives, Discussion topic Tags Ray Kurzweil, singularity, algorithms, discussion
← Provide timely information (even if it makes you unpopular)Coming soon (ish): my top ten education books of 2021 →
Recent book reviews
Backlist: The Written World
Backlist: The Written World

Writing was invented ‘only’ a few thousand years ago. It’s a fascinating story.

Read More →
Backlist: What I'm reading: Bounce
Backlist: What I'm reading: Bounce

What does it take to become an expert? And what can the Computing teacher do about it?

Read More →
Backlist: The Fourth Education Revolution
Backlist: The Fourth Education Revolution

The title of this book invites curiosity: what were the other three ‘revolutions?

Read More →
A book review for your English department colleagues perhaps
A book review for your English department colleagues perhaps

Some of these stories are so richly told, it can almost seem as though you’re right there with him.

Read More →
Review: Pen Names
Review: Pen Names

OK, so this has nothing to do with education technology, but we all read (I hope!). A very interesting examination of the pen names some authors have adopted, and why.

Read More →
Review: The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History
Review: The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History

There's a really interesting section in this book about how ceramic storage of data and information is probably the most likely medium to stand the test of time.

Read More →
A book review for your biology colleagues perhaps
A book review for your biology colleagues perhaps

The subject under discussion here is how human physiology has developed in different ways, in response to different conditions around the world.

Read More →
Review: Social Media for Academics
Review: Social Media for Academics

This book is very readable, and if I sound surprised that is because it’s not always true of academics!

Read More →
Quick looks: VIBE Coding by Example
Quick looks: VIBE Coding by Example

For the time being, this book is free in Kindle format.

Read More →
Review: The Game Changers: How Playing Games Changed the World and Can Change You Too
Review: The Game Changers: How Playing Games Changed the World and Can Change You Too

Despite the relative paucity of immediately obvious National Curriculum links, teachers will find several of sections of this book to be highly engaging.

Read More →
Dig+Ed+Banner.jpg

Contact us

Privacy

Cookies

Terms and conditions

This website is powered by Squarespace

(c) Terry Freedman All Rights Reserved