About the Bookstore Browse Aisles Search Desk Shopping Basket Book Trade Terms Just Released! Return Policy Help Here is the full reference card for this book... If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113. The Paradigm Shifts Towards AI by Keith Halsey 358 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-0792; ISBN 1-4120-2964-3; US$28.00, C$32.25, EUR23.00, £16.50 This book is intended for anybody wishing to get a broader understanding of the issues surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the wider implications on the future evolution of humanity. Read more! about the book      about the author      excerpts      catalogue info About the Book The premise of this book is that the development of AI should not be considered in technical isolation, but rather seen as the next potential step in the evolution of intelligent life on Earth. The book starts by introducing a broad range of predictions associated with AI, which may have already influenced the perception of AI. However, subsequent sections then go on to gain a wider perspective, inclusive of not only the technology issues, but also the philosophical and social issues, as the implications of AI go well beyond the confines of science. While important issues are not treated lightly, it was considered more important to try and see the 'bigger picture'. As such, the book does cover a wide sweep of topics that are believed to be relevant to the potential development of a concept being called 'Hybrid AI' and its eventual impact on the future of humanity. The term 'paradigm' is also used, as in science, to describe a conceptual model of operation. Throughout history, scientists have developed new paradigms that have completely overturned an earlier model of how we view the universe. This book reviews some of the most important historical paradigms because they provide a perspective on how society has come to perceive the world, at this point in time. However, the core of the book is primarily focused on a new paradigm in which hybrid AI could evolve and ultimately supersede what we currently understand humanity to be, while still challenging the assumptions that underpin this model at every stage. About the Author The author was born in London, England and was awarded an honours degree in Physics and Electronics in 1971. Over a period of 30 years, the author has been involved in the development of some of the largest and most advanced computer systems within the telecommunication's industry. By 2004, these systems were capable of transmitting billions of characters per second and required millions of lines of system programming. As Director of Network Technology and subsequently, Director of Internet Systems, for two large multinational companies, the author was responsible for the development of new strategies linked to self-learning systems that could manage the growing demand for real-time intelligent processing over the Internet. Some of this work naturally led towards research into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the sciences that surround this expanding field of technology. However, the author's own interest quickly started to go beyond the boundaries of just practical research as more profound questions arose: Is AI the future of intelligent life on planet Earth? What happens to humanity along the way? How will such choices be made?

Excerpts

1: Prologue

After some three and a half thousand million years, mankind has evolved to become the predominant intelligent life on planet Earth. A small, possibly insignificant planet, circling a small unremarkable star in a universe of countless stars within countless galaxies, which are receding outwards at near light-speed; a legacy of the primordial Big Bang event some 15 billion years in the past. On this scale, it would seem inconceivable that mankind should be the only life form that is sentient, self-aware and intelligent enough to signal between the stars. However, despite years of searching, no sign of other intelligence has yet been found and it sometimes appears that the very laws of the universe conspire to make the distances between the stars impossibly large. So what is the purpose and future of sentient, intelligent life on Earth?

2: Premise

Initially, this book set out to evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial reality (AR) would be possible, based on extrapolating future advances in computer technology. However, in the process of researching the technical potential to create an artificial intelligence, the question of the sentience of that life form also arises. If AI were sentient, issues of morality would have to be addressed. Likewise, the ability to create an artificial reality that was indistinguishable from the physical reality that surrounds us would also raise further fundamental questions. All of a sudden, the research was generating more questions than answers and the scope of the questions was becoming increasingly broad in nature. These questions encompass issues of theology and philosophy and require an evaluation of the changes in science, technology and society that would allow the concept of AI and AR to evolve.

3: Predictions

The overall implication of both the technology and social predictions appears to suggest that almost every institution we know today will be changed dramatically by intelligent computer systems. As a result, even by the end of the 21st century, human society may be barely recognizable to those of us born in the 20th century. There is perhaps also a sense that we are no longer in control of technology, but rather simply dependent on it. In the majority, most predictions imply human and computer evolution converging to some future point where a new species, ŒHomo Machinus*, would effectively evolve and have access to all human and machine knowledge. This new species would have a shared consciousness by being linked together telepathically via a global network.

4: Paradigms

We will deal with evolution, not only in the sense of human evolution, but the evolution of the universe as a whole. One of the central themes behind many of the paradigm shifts being discussed involves mankind*s position with respect to the rest of the universe. The current accepted cosmology paradigm suggests a universe evolving in terms of its expansion in both time and space. This paradigm forwards a model of a universe expanding from a singularity since the ŒBig Bang* event some 15 billion years ago. However, in comparison, human civilisation is less than 10,000 years old. On this scale, human civilisation accounts for less than 1/billionth of 1% of the age of the universe. Clearly, natural evolution appears to be in no rush when working on a cosmic timeframe. Therefore, a paradigm that suggests that a new AI sentient life form could become the predominant intelligence on planet Earth in the next 500 years is all the more astounding and possibly alarming.

5: AI Paradigm

Homo Sapiens: Original humanity

Homo Computerus: Human, plus computers

Homo Optimus: Human, genetically modified.

Homo Cyberneticus: Human, with direct computer interface

Homo Hybridus: Human, with prosthetic enhancements

Homo Machinus: Cyborg, human brain with prosthetic anatomy.

Homo Primus: AI, new sentient life.

6: Curiosity and Consequences:

Prior to the 20th century, the immediate consequence of scientific and industrial developments was relatively localised. However, as we start the 21st century, our scientific curiosity now has the potential to destroy both our global environment and economy. Without the desire to more fully analyse the impact of our developing technology, the consequences of our curiosity will be hidden behind arguments such as Œwe can*t turn back the clock* or Œif we don*t, they will* or worst still, simply get corrupted by short-term political machinations. So, given the technical nature of any AI paradigm shift, the responsibility for leading the AI debate, and its undoubted social consequence, needs to be taken up by the scientific community.

7: Biological Life:

As such, the structural organization of non-living matter can be considered to be the probable outcome of a system that evolves according to the ordinary laws of physics. In contrast, it will be argued that the key distinguishing attribute of life, is Œpurpose*. This purpose may be constrained by the laws of physics, but is not defined by these laws. Initially, this purpose was neither intelligent nor sentient, and possibly little more than a Œcause and effect* chemical reaction triggered by the surrounding environment. However, in evolutionary terms, this purpose appeared to want to survive, which in-turn led to adaptation of the functional organisation of life to better meet the challenges of surviving in a changing environment.

8: Human Life:

Although the human body is undoubtedly amazing, it would not have much purpose without the spark of intelligence guiding its actions. Therefore, some would say the bigger challenge is the understanding of human neuro-physiology. The level of evolution of the human brain is unique on planet Earth, and appears, so far, not to have any parallel in our solar system or possibly even within our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The uniqueness is not just based on our higher intelligence to solve problems, but our perception of sentience or self-awareness that makes us question our purpose in the universe. Without understanding of what sentience is or how it came about, we may only be destined to develop automatons that can merely mimic the characteristics of life.

9: Artificial Life:

One final thought for consideration before we begin the more pragmatic review of AI. Those who have spent a lifetime working to understand an older accepted paradigm rarely welcome new paradigms, especially as complex as quantum mechanics. However, on the other hand, it is fool that accepts every idea that comes along. The study of AI is possibly one of the greatest challenges undertaken by mankind. Not surprisingly, the implications of its development could change humanity beyond all recognition. Whether this will be for the better, is one of the questions we now need to consider.

10: Artificial Reality:

So far, we have progressed the discussion surrounding AI in the context of an evolution of life. From its humble beginnings on Earth, some 3.5 billion years ago as a simple prokaryotic cell through to the potential of hybrid AI over the next 500 years. While some of these concepts may challenge many of our belief systems, they have essentially remained within the accepted notion of what we perceive reality to be. In the next paradigm shift to be discussed, we may have to completely let go of our existing notion of reality. As a prelude to this discussion, consider your initial reaction to the following questions.

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