Minds and Machines, Essay Example

Modern technology has, in many ways, introduced the modern human society to specific possibilities that might have been considered unbelievable ten years ago. Understandably, such aspect of understanding what technology could offer through the relative structure of existing machines provide a distinct impact on how humans see the roles of machines [such as computers] in their everyday lives. Several questions arise when the issue on human relationship and behavior with computer is being talked about. One question would be that of the one pertaining to whether or not the interaction between a human and a machine should be considered valid and reciprocal process of exchanging commands, or at some point thoughts?

The emergence of AI or artificial intelligence and its application on the construction and establishment of programs dedicated to particular machines and computer software have become a primary requirement that modern computer programmers give attention to. It is assumed that through time, the development that AI takes into account would practically redefine the way humans and machines are supposed to interact. At present, the connection between humans and machines is notably relative especially in relation to function. The differentiation between human-to-human communication and human-to-machine connection is gradually thinning that at some point it becomes harder to define.

Hand-held gadgets are among the newest inventions that have been flooding the market. Along with the creation of such gadgets is the introduction of new software programs that are designed to make user-experience extraordinary. Since the idea behind the creation of new technology includes a distinction on how human chores and activities become fulfilled in a much easier manner, the creation of programs that would likely ease out the completion of several common activities have been given light. SIRI, an intelligent personal assistant created by Apple Inc as part of its newest gadgets’ ios, provides a distinct source of references and response to the most common, and sometimes even to the most idiotic questions that users have. In some cases though, some users may find the responses mediocre in nature as they do not respond to the actual question. The nature of such program is to respond to the questions based on the closest keywords that the program can identify with. This is the reason why some questions end up receiving uncanny responses from SIRI that are at some point irritating. For a child, understanding the concept of keyword correlation when it comes to SIRI’s answers to random questions may not be that easy. This is the reason why often times, the connection that a child makes with a machine defined program like SIRI might not be that easily differed from how he would connect with his own peer. How could this connection be further defined in relation to human-machine interaction? The discussion below shall further explain the logical response to such query through the presentation and write-up of Searle and Turing in relation to machines and how the human brain relates to their existence and operation especially in relation to communication and interaction. This discussion shall be based on the questions regarding the case of a child calling SIRI ‘stupid’ because of frustration of not getting the right or at least the response he expects from such an ‘intelligent program’.

Do you think we should punish him for statements like these? If he ever called an actual person a stupid idiot, he would be in huge trouble’.

How would Turing answer this question, and why?

Turing specifically believes on the fact that machines and humans are two different elements. Humans being the ones who are able to feel and think and machines, being the primary operating entities that are able to respond to commands and are usually not able to do more than that unless they are actually programmed to do so. Hence, in relation to this matter, it could be that Turing would impose that it would be a specifically idiotic move if the parents are to make the child say ‘sorry’ to the program. He might impose that somehow, this would negate the understanding of a child over what a machine is and what a human being is about and how each elements should be treated differently especially in relation to consideration over emotions and understanding the need to be polite in concern with the way one relates to another.

How would Searle answer this question, and why?

Searle on the other hand believes that the connection that humans have with machines at present specifically define the concept of moral values. Machines, having AI, even though they are machines, could easily relate to the beings and behavior of the users. Relatively, the behavior humans impose with that of the utilization of the machines they engage with often get translated into how they deal with the people around them as well. Hence, in relation to the case, it could be noted that the author might specifically agree with the idea of making the child say ‘sorry’ to SIRI as it could reestablish the idea of morals and politeness in the child.

Suppose Siri*, after being called a ‘stupid idiot’ a number of times, said ‘You make me feel like crying. If you keep calling me a stupid idiot, I won’t talk to you any more’. And suppose that the 10 year old apologized, and stopped calling Siri* a stupid idiot. Would this make a difference to Searle?

Searle’s position would only be established at a stronger state in relation to this scenario. Realizing that the platform of AI has the capacity of influencing the actual behavior that humans develop, Searle’s understanding of the situation would be strengthened and proven further.

Who, in your view—if either—is correct, and why?

Both Searle and Turing have their own perspectives on the matter by which humans are affected by the new developments regarding the operation of computers and how they relate to human living systems. While Searle points out the connection that humans have with machines due to the establishment of the AI platform, Turing tries to point out how AI application should not distinctively break the barriers of being human from that of being a machine. In a way, humans, although they use the AI platform effectively and are benefiting fully from its existence, should not be able to replace the realities of human connection with their fellowmen.

Overall, based from these question responses and overall discussion, it could be realized that machines play a great role on how humans operate at present. The fact is that at least 60% of the current living system of humans around the globe is dependent on machine operated conditions. This insists on the fact that somehow, computer interaction between humans and machines specifically affect the overall personal and intellectual being of humans as a whole. The case presented in support to this discussion specifically defines the line between being a human and being a machine and how modern technology has relatively made that particular line blurry especially in the eyes of the young generation who have become familiarized within the system at such a young age. Considerably, the need to make sure that the distinct lining between machine and human interaction is a necessity that the modern society should be able to properly comprehend with to make sure that machines do not get in the line of developing and retaining the values of human morality within an overall context of application.

Works Cited

Turing, AM. (1950). Computing Machinery and Intelligence. Mind Journal. 49; 433-460.

Searle, J. R. (1980) Minds, brains, and programs. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 3 (3): 417-457.

Chu, H.  (February 3, 2012). “Scottish burr beyond Siri’s recognition”. The Age. Melbourne.

Langley, P. (2011). “The changing science of machine learning”. Machine Learning 82 (3): 275–279.