Place: 4274 Chamberlin (refreshments will be served)
Speaker: Terry Allard, Office of Naval Research and NASA (retired)
Abstract: One fear often expressed in the mass media and popular culture is that artificially intelligent machines will become fully autonomous and self-improving to the point that their capabilities will exceed that of human beings. As a consequence, intelligent machines could become a more dominant life form on the planet, superseding human primacy in culture, science, technology, competitiveness and value. A key concept underlying this fear is the notion that machines can have their own agency independent of human control or influence. Today’s discussion will explore the nature of agency and the future of artificial intelligence from narrow single-function capability to super-intelligence exceeding current human potential.