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Articles Roboprof .........Prof Kevin Warwick believes there is nothing mystical about human intelligence that cannot be encoded in the circuits of a robot: "There are those who say humans have a magic ingredient that keeps us ahead, but I don't believe it." His vision of the rise of artificial intelligence is supported by Professor Peter Cochrane, head of research and development at BT Laboratories. In 10 years' time, computers will be 1,000 times more powerful than today, he says; a million times greater in 20 years, and a billion times the power by 2030. "Machines of such power and capability will evolve human characteristics of adaptability, intelligence and personality," he said. Such views are not, however, shared by other eminent scientists. Sir Roger Penrose, a professor and leading mathematical theorist at Oxford University, says Warwick's nightmare is highly improbable. "It is based on the view that all our brains do is compute. What is involved in intelligence is quite different from computation. Whatever intelligence is, it involves consciousness or awareness. It involves understanding," he said............ |