Elementary My Dear Watson
IBM’s creation of the super-computer “Watson” has had a revolutionary impact on the world of artificial intelligence. Watson is capable of fully communicating with and comprehending humans, and has limitless applications, ranging from medical advice during a procedure to which stocks to buy and when. Watson is a window into the future of technology and, in addition, a window into the future of networks.
We have studied interactions and networks between humans in class thus far, and the impact that positive and negative relationships have on a given group as a whole, but how do these claims, understandings, and theories apply to artificial intelligence and its interactions with humanity (and with itself)?
As artificial intelligence evolves, Watson’s interactions with humans, for example, will become even more realistic. So much so that we may run into issues – if Watson is “friends” with person A and person B, but person A asks Watson how he/she can destroy person B, how will Watson respond? In its present state, Watson will likely reply with the most objective and calculated answer, regardless of potential social conflict. However, as artificial intelligence progresses, Watson may develop to the point where it faces a moral dilemma. When this dilemma arises, and when Watson subsequently reacts, perhaps we will have a greater understanding of how artificial intelligence will handle moral obligations versus its innate programming to respond with an answer. Will strong triadic closure even be inapplicable to artificial intelligence? In the future, we may see an entirely new set of theories to explain the networks of artificial intelligence – for now, we can only hope that they will simply do what is best for humanity as a whole.
wired.com/insights/2015/02/what-can-watson-do-for-your-company/