The Singularity: Could artificial intelligence really out-think us (and would we want it to)? (Journal of Consciousness Studies) Paperback – 1 Nov. 2016

A kind of religious awe surrounds the idea that machines could soon out-think humans. Soon, believers argue, machines will enable all problems to be solved. This book reproduces, among others, an essay by David Charmers that was published six years ago. Very soon he says we could be faced with an intelligence explosion. Some of the claims he mentions appear a bit far-fetched but then many ideas in the past were so thought yet they are in use today. Susan Greenfield, on the other hand, believes computation can never lead to wisdom or understanding.One of the major disagreements focuses on whether or not humankind would benefit from superintelligigent machines. Hume and Kant are quoted by those who argue for or against. If one believes Hume, then a superintelligent machine could be a malign force. Others argue that such debates are pointless because we are incapable of understanding a superintelligence. Bryan Appleyard agrees. if singularity were to come about, he argues there is 'nothing merely human that is worth saying'.The authors are all very highly regarded in their field. For example, Aleksander has researched Ai and Neural Systems for over 40 years. Appleyard is a special feature writer and columnist for The Sunday Times. He has written for many other publications. Awret has had a life- long interest in consciousness studies. He teaches physics in Washington DC. Susan Blackmore is a psychologist and writer. The commentaries here were originally published as two special issues in the Journal of Consciousness Studies.Bryan Appleyard has written an excellent introduction to this book. He explains how he was very sceptical of singularity. He gives his three main reasons. Appleyard was all too aware of the undistinguished history of A I research since the 1950's. Wild promiseswere followed by failures. Today he is less sceptical but still believes that it is vain to think the machines we have created for improving our lives are the kind of machines that will become superintelligent machines. In brief, he believes singularity will not happen with today's technology. He adds, however, that an intelligent machine doesn't have to be conscious. It merely has to be effective. Appleyard goes on to discuss if such machines will be grim for us or beneficial. He mentions the Terminator films, the Matrix films and Hal in 2001. These are contrasted with the android Data in Star Trek. He also discusses the growing obsession with smartphones, and remarks very aptly that removing one from someone is akin to an amputation. Finally, he says we may after all decide that our current machines are enough, given a little more tweaking. Appleyard ends by reminding us that we have already taken the first steps towards ceding stewardship of the human world to our own creations.This is an entertaining and intellectually stimulating book even if you find singularity implausible.