AI: A Terrible Beauty is Born?
December 9th,2068, the whole world held its breath for this moment.
“Sir, it’s time for the press conference,” said my assistant Tom.
The next moment I was in the conference hall. Thousands of pairs of eyes were on me—humans’ or AIs’, I failed to count. I cleared my throat, “Now you may ask your questions.”
A journalist in black was the first to stand up, “sir, as the inventor of the AI butler, could you tell us why you have chosen to become the first person in this century to cut all ties with Artificial Intelligence? Didn’t your AI butlers do a great job?”
“Quite the contrary. My butler Bryan was a most trustworthy companion. He do anything for me, make my bed, read me abook in five languages… But something was missing since I met my Bryan, something important about being a human.”
And suddenly ,memories overwhelmed me. 10 years ago I invented the most popular AI butler called the “ultimate butler”, and the world knows no more life in the old sense. My own butler Bryan took over my entire schedule. I even built him to select the birthday gift for my kids, based on psychological modeling. And that came amoment of disgust. A sudden chill went down my spine, was it I or Bryan who livedmy life?
But anyway I continued: “When was the last time you cooked? Do you still remember your mom’s specialty dish? Are youreally happy not having to do anything on your own? Or is your AI butler the course of all these misery?”
“Logical fallacy detected .” Shouted an AI butler, “we butlers are helpful creatures that can only bring happiness tomankind.” “Agree.” “Affirmative.” “Sir, you need psychiatric treatment.” I looked around, no human voice was heard. From their vacant eyes, I knew what I suspected came true.
December 10th, I am writing the story in a psychiatric ward. Ladies and gentlemen, such could be but should not be my story, we are at crossroad, we maybe attempted to live differently, so differently that could hardly be called a life at all. I delegate, therefore Iam, Ladies and gentlemen, I do beg your second thought ponderous.
Thank you.
