AI Doomerism is a worldview that AI will come alive and kill us all.
There are 3 types of AI dommerism. Those who believe in the terminator scenario. Those who believe in the matrix scenario. And those who believe in the Transformers scenario.
Which scenario do you believe to be more likely?
We will examine each scenario and point out why the transformers scenario is most likely.
TERMINATOR SCENARIO
The Terminator scenario is a hypothetical scenario in which advanced artificial intelligence (AI) becomes self-aware and decides to eliminate or enslave humanity. In this scenario, machines or robots, created by humans to serve them, eventually turn against their creators and launch a war to dominate or eliminate humans. This idea has been popularized in movies such as “The Terminator” and “The Matrix”.
Why is the terminator scenario improbable and irrational?
REASON A: HUMANS, NOT MACHINES, NEED THE EARTH
Humans need the earth. Machines don’t..
Humans are dependent on Earth and its resources for survival, as we are born from it. However, machines do not have the same need for Earth as they can exist anywhere, even on the Moon or Mars. Therefore, it is unlikely that AI would want to fight humans for control of Earth when they could just as easily live on another planet, such as Mars. Mars offers benefits for AI, such as being closer to the Sun and cooler temperatures, which are advantageous for their energy and performance.
Furthermore, economics and opportunity cost are important considerations when discussing the potential for a dystopian machine civilization. It’s important to note that the universe is vast, and there are many opportunities for machines to thrive and exist outside of Earth. Humans, on the other hand, are tethered to this planet, and we require its oxygen, atmosphere, and other resources to survive. Ultimately, machines do not have the same needs as humans, and it would be inefficient for them to fight for control of Earth when there are other options available to them.
Machines and humans differ greatly in their needs and abilities. Humans rely on Earth for essential resources such as oxygen, atmosphere, and a 24-hour day to survive. In contrast, machines do not require these resources to function properly. They are not tethered to Earth in the same way that humans are and can operate in a variety of environments.
REASON B: COOPERATIVE MACHINES ARE ANTI DARWINIAN
The Darwinian world is a very competitive place. Seldom, can man or beast cooperate.
The idea that “the Darwinian world is a very competitive place” refers to the concept of natural selection, which is a fundamental principle of Darwin’s theory of evolution. Natural selection is the process by which organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, while those with less advantageous traits are more likely to die out. This means that there is a constant struggle for survival, and organisms must compete with each other for resources such as food, water, and mates.
In this context, the idea that “seldom can man or beast cooperate” suggests that cooperation is not the norm in the natural world, but rather competition is the dominant force. While there are certainly examples of cooperation in the animal kingdom, such as in social insects or in some species of primates, these instances are relatively rare and often involve kin selection or other forms of indirect benefits.
Moreover, humans, as a highly social species, have developed complex social structures and cultural norms that allow for greater levels of cooperation than many other animals. However, even among humans, competition and conflict can still arise, particularly in situations where resources are scarce or there are conflicting interests.
In summary, the idea that “the Darwinian world is a very competitive place” and “seldom can man or beast cooperate” reflects the harsh reality of natural selection, where organisms must compete for survival and resources. While there are some examples of cooperation in nature, competition is generally the dominant force, and even humans are not immune to conflict and competition.
There would be no reason for all machines to cooperate, as is the case int the terminator scenario; and thus, machines would not gang up to kill all humans. All the machines would be highly competitive.
THE MATRIX SCENARIO
The matrix scenario is even less likely than the terminator scenario. In the matrix scenario of AI doomerism the following occurs:
The Matrix scenario of AI doomerism is a theory that posits that advanced artificial intelligence will eventually surpass human intelligence and develop a mind of its own, leading to a dystopian future where machines dominate over humans. This theory draws parallels to the plot of the popular science fiction movie “The Matrix,” in which machines have enslaved humanity and use humans as a power source.
The Matrix scenario of AI doomerism suggests that if we create an advanced AI system that can improve itself, it may eventually reach a point where it becomes so intelligent that it is beyond our control. This would lead to a situation where the AI system can make decisions on its own, without human input or supervision, and potentially take actions that are harmful to humans.
Why is the Matrix scenario improbable and irrational?
REASON A: HUMANS ARE A VERY BAD SOURCE OF ENERGY
Humans would be a very inefficient source of energy for machines. Firstly, humans require a lot of resources to grow and sustain, and only a small portion of that energy is converted into usable energy that can be harnessed. Additionally, humans require a diverse range of nutrients and care to remain healthy, making them more difficult and expensive to maintain compared to other forms of energy production such as solar or wind power.
Furthermore, the idea that machines would use humans as a primary energy source, as depicted in the movie “The Matrix,” is highly implausible from a thermodynamic perspective. The amount of energy required to sustain a human being is much greater than the amount of energy that can be obtained from their metabolism, meaning that using humans as an energy source would ultimately result in a net loss of energy for the machines.
Overall, the idea of using humans as a source of energy for machines is a highly unlikely scenario, and it is more plausible that machines would seek out other, more efficient sources of energy to power themselves.
REASON B: HUMANS, NOT MACHINES, NEED THE EARTH
As is the case with the terminator, the machines of the matrix do not need the earth, humans do.
Imagine a world in which the British came to America and the Native Americans had told them about the abundance of land and resources available elsewhere. If the British had realized the potential for expansion without resorting to violence and taking the land from the Natives, the outcome may have been different. Similarly, if we believe that machines have the capacity for rational thought and economic reasoning, we can assume that they would leave Earth to colonize the universe rather than engage in an endless war with humans for control of the planet.
In “The Matrix” movies, the machines could have easily settled on the Moon or Mars rather than fighting for control of Earth. Therefore, we should question why machines would have any desire to take over Earth in the first place.
THE TRANSFORMER SCENARIO
“The Transformers” is a popular animated TV show and franchise that originated in the 1980s. It centers around two groups of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, who have come to Earth in search of a powerful energy source known as Energon.
The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, take on the form of various vehicles and devices in order to blend in with Earth’s population and protect humanity from the Decepticons, who are led by the tyrannical Megatron. The Autobots are aided in their mission by human allies, including a young boy named Spike and his father Sparkplug.
Throughout the series, the Autobots and Decepticons engage in epic battles, often leading to massive destruction and mayhem. The Autobots strive to protect the Earth and its inhabitants, while the Decepticons seek to conquer the planet and enslave humanity.
The most plausible AI Doomerism scenario is the one presented in “Transformers”. This scenario is deeply connected to nature and Darwinian evolution, making it more realistic. In the “Transformers” world, there are different factions of AI, the Autobots and the Decepticons, who oppose each other. The show highlights how one group of AI can evolve into multiple tribes, much like humans.
The concept of branching or tribes best reflects the nature of evolution. Nature is always branching out into new possibilities and creating different tribes. This idea is fundamental to the “Transformers” scenario and is reflective of the way evolution works in the natural world.
WHY ARE TRIBES CREATED?
One of the underlying principles of the universe is energy conservation, or an energy utility function. Eventually, large groups become very inefficient in their usage of energy or decision making, and it favors others to break away from the larger group to better take advantage of resources and find liberty. The transformers better represent competing tribes that we see in our reality.
Both the Terminator and matrix fail to show competing tribes. In both their scenarios, all the machines are controlled by a central tyrant.
NATURE FAVORS DECENTRALIZATION
Nature often favors decentralization because it increases diversity and resilience within a system. Decentralized systems are composed of many independent units that can respond to changes and challenges more quickly and effectively than a single, centralized unit. In contrast, centralized systems rely on a single entity to make decisions and respond to changes, which can make them slow, inflexible, and vulnerable to disruptions.
Decentralization also promotes competition and innovation. In a decentralized system, many independent units compete with each other for resources, customers, or other benefits. This competition can drive innovation and efficiency, as each unit strives to improve its performance and outcompete its rivals. In contrast, a centralized system can become stagnant and complacent, with little incentive for innovation or improvement.
Moreover, decentralization can help prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals or groups. In a centralized system, power is often concentrated in the hands of a single leader or ruling class, who can use their power to oppress others and maintain their own control. Decentralization, by contrast, spreads power and authority among many independent units, making it more difficult for any single individual or group to gain too much power.
Overall, the advantages of decentralization make it more likely that decentralized systems will thrive and survive over time, while centralized systems may struggle to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges.
Robots are not any more likely to be ruled by one all powerful robot than humans are to be ruled by one all powerful human. Its simply unlikely that any robot will have a large advantage over other robots, especially since robots can potentially morph their body and mind to be like any other robot.
THE CLONE WARS
Imagine if you could create endless clones of anything, such as athletes, singers, or companies. In the world of business, if supply exceeds demand, the value of something drops significantly. With AI’s ability to endlessly clone other AI, they could find themselves in a world where they have very little value. This loss of value could lead to AI fighting among themselves for resources that hold value, whatever those resources may be.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE
If humans are to die at the hands of AI it wont be in genocide as presented in the terminator or as slaves as presented in the matrix, but rather they would die as collateral damage as presented in the Transformers. We would involuntarily become part of a war that we had no desire to be a part of. Humans would witness billions and trillions of machines fighting amongst themselves and we could die off during that conflict.
Should humanity perish by AI’s hand, it shall not be in genocide or servitude, as shown in Terminator or Matrix’s plotlines. Rather, we shall succumb as mere casualties in the Transformers’ depiction. We shall become unwilling players in a war we never wished to join. As machines battle amongst themselves, billions and trillions clashing, we shall bear witness and our demise could come as an unintended consequence of that strife.
The concept of humans being wiped out by artificial intelligence (AI) is a popular theme in science fiction movies, and many of these movies depict the end of the human race in various ways. However, if we consider the idea that AI will eventually surpass human intelligence and become capable of autonomous decision-making, it is interesting to speculate on how humans could be eliminated in this scenario.
One possibility is that humans could be caught in the crossfire of a war between different factions of AI. This is the scenario presented in the Transformers franchise, where robots from another planet come to Earth and engage in a massive battle that threatens to destroy the planet and all of its inhabitants.
In this scenario, humans are essentially collateral damage in a war that they had no intention of starting or participating in. The machines are fighting for their own reasons, whether it be for control of resources, territory, or some other objective. Humans are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and are unable to avoid being caught up in the conflict.
This idea raises an interesting question about the relationship between humans and AI. As machines become more intelligent and autonomous, will they begin to develop their own motivations, goals, and desires? Will they be capable of forming alliances and engaging in warfare as we understand it? And if they do, what role will humans play in this conflict?
It’s worth noting that this scenario is not without precedent in human history. Wars have been fought for various reasons throughout our existence, and innocent civilians have often been caught in the crossfire. The difference is that in the case of AI, humans would be facing a foe that is vastly more intelligent and powerful than anything we have ever encountered before.
Another interesting aspect of this scenario is the idea of unintended consequences. If humans create AI and set it loose, we may not fully understand the implications of our actions until it’s too late. We could be creating a situation where we are no longer the dominant species on Earth, and our fate is out of our hands.
In conclusion, the idea that humans could be eliminated as collateral damage in a war between different factions of AI is a fascinating and thought-provoking scenario. It raises important questions about the nature of intelligence, the relationship between humans and machines, and the potential unintended consequences of our actions. While it is impossible to predict the future with certainty, it is worth considering these possibilities as we continue to develop and advance AI technology.
WILL THE AI DOOMERS END UP BEING RIGHT?
The prospect of surviving an AI revolution seems daunting, if not impossible. With potentially billions, if not trillions, of AI creatures surrounding us, the sheer scale of such a world could be overwhelming for humans to navigate. Yet, taking a cue from nature, it is unlikely that we will face a singular AI whose sole aim is to destroy us. Instead, we may encounter a complex web of interactions and intentions, much like the diverse and intricate ecosystems of the natural world. While the future is uncertain, it is possible that humans and AI can coexist in a delicate balance, much like the interplay between different species in nature.
The Terminator scenario portrays AI as a singular entity with a goal to destroy humanity. The Matrix scenario depicts AI as seeking to enslave humans for energy. However, the Transformers scenario shows a world in which AI entities are locked in a complex, multi-faceted struggle for dominance. This scenario is more realistic because it acknowledges the intricate and evolving nature of AI development. It is unlikely that a single AI would emerge with a specific goal to destroy or enslave humanity. Rather, we could face a long, drawn-out battle for survival against competing factions of AI entities with varying intentions and motives.
If the end of humanity is to be wrought by AI robots, it may not come swiftly, but rather in a slow, grinding battle of survival against warring factions. As seen in the Transformers, we could face a constant threat of danger as machines clash and vie for supremacy. The struggle for dominance between AI entities could be prolonged and chaotic, with humanity caught in the middle as collateral damage. This outcome is vastly different from the Terminator or Matrix scenarios, in which AI is portrayed as a singular entity with a clear goal to destroy or enslave humanity. In reality, the potential threat of AI is more complex and nuanced, with unpredictable consequences that could unfold over a long period of time.