X-Message-Number: 17164
From: "john grigg" <>
Subject: can A.I. become truly as we are?
Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2001 03:53:25 

Dr. Ed Reifman wrote:
On another note, my wife is aware of the 'melding' of robotics (AI) and
humans, and to paraphrase Kurzweil, that within 30+ years (or take how
many years in the future you desire), the merging of AI (robotic technology) 
and organic intelligence will eventually make 'us' indistinguishable from 
'them'. Her response is that such entities can never be truly human, nor 
true progenitors of humankind as they would lack a soul.
(end)

Many people on this list would doubt the very existance of the soul.

Louis Epstein replied:
Very,very true.
Artificial intelligence is not
the real thing, and never can be.
(end)

How can you say artificial intelligence will never be the "real thing?"  I 
believe in the existance of a soul/spirit, but still am convinced long 
before this century is out we will see machines with all the self-awareness, 
intelligence, and "heart" of the best humans.  In fact, when it comes to 
"heart and soul" they may far exceed us in time.  I wonder if you are 
letting religious dogma get in the way of an understanding of the ever more 
rapid technological growth we are experiencing.

As I said, I believe in the existance of the soul/spirit.  I sometimes 
wonder if God would "give life/spirit" to fully sophont A.I.'s even if 
scientists think they alone control the process.  The Mormon doctrine is 
that we had a "premortal" life before birth here.  I would find it a 
fascinating thought that some spirits are born here on earth as A.I. instead 
of human beings.

best wishes,

John



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