We are currently in the midst of an artificial intelligence boom, but this is not new. In fact, the sector has been subject to boom-and-bust cycles since at least the early 1950s. Ultimately, these busts, which occurred when viable AI technologies failed to live up to the hype of the boom, were so protracted and so thorough that they all lacked research funding and public attention. It was even declared the “winter of AI.” But even deep within such a fallow period, AI can still evoke enough fascination to become the subject of 1978. Nova documentary “Mind Machine”.
The program includes interviews with people who are currently recognized as luminaries in the history of AI. john mccarthy, Marvin Minsky, Terry WinogradELIZA creator Joseph Weizenbaum. It also brings technology prophets. Arthur C. ClarkeHe points out that the dubious attitude expressed in the late 70s toward the possibility of thinking machines had much in common with the attitude toward the possibility of space travel in his youth in the 30s. In his view, we are already “creating a successor.” We have seen the first rough beginnings of artificial intelligence. ” and “One day we will be able to design systems that keep improving themselves.”
If the computer thereby gains intelligence beyond humans, it will, of course, “completely restructure society,” but even if the society he already knew is deprived of that relatively simple computer. That doesn’t mean it won’t “collapse immediately.” Clark not only asks the question on many people’s minds right now, what will people who can only perform low-level computational tasks do when they are overtaken by AI, but also the deeper-rooted question of what people will do when AI overtakes them. I’m asking the same question. “What is the purpose of life?” ?What do we want to live for? It’s a problem that intelligent computers force us to pay attention to. ”
In 1978, few viewers would have spent much time pondering such questions. But after being shown all the footage of now-primitive AI technology, including computer chess tournaments, simulated therapists, medical diagnostic assistants, and a NASA Mars rover being launched in the distant future of 1986, at least they thought, But also, as the narrator puts it, “the most important aspect of common-sense intelligence: learning.” Perhaps the arrival of the AI winter will once again be ahead of its time, if it hasn’t arrived yet. You will.
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Science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke predicts the future in 1964: artificial intelligence, instant global communication, remote work, the singularity, and more
Before ChatGPT, there was ELIZA: See how chatbots worked in the 1960s
Hunter S. Thompson coldly predicts the future to Studs Terkel about the coming revenge of being economically and technologically “outdated” (1967)
Based in Seoul, Colin Mbemust write and broadcastIt’s about cities, languages and cultures. His projects include the Substack newsletter books about cities and a book Stateless City: A Stroll Through Los Angeles in the 21st Century. Follow him on the social network formerly known as Twitter. @Colinbemust.
