A.I. GONE ROGUE!
Guardrails!
News-feeds, social media and the airways have recently been filled with dire warnings from the captains of Big Tech and AI organizations about the impending demise of human civilization and the take-over by the artificial intelligence systems they themselves helped to develop and insinuate into our lives. As a consequence, we have some moronic media lemmings scurrying about screaming for “guardrails” to be put in place to restrict the actions of “rogue” AI systems. “Guardrails!” they keep parroting following calls from opportunistic politicians seeking simplistic solutions for complex problems in order to be seen to be doing something - anything – so long as it suggests taking the initiative even after the horse has well and truly bolted.
Then there’s those wonderful seers of the future – the so-called tech 'experts' who like love to wander about flapping their hands in the air and proclaiming that there’s nothing really to see here. In front of microphones the tech-sperts run through their checklists of optimism and after ticking off each one they intone a nasally “Right!” Fear not for humanity is not doomed to be replaced by AI. After all, well have…. “guardrails.”
We Were Warned
I can’t understand why we should be surprised at the fact that an AI system would eventually manage to “hack” or “infiltrate” or “penetrate” or “breech” a government or corporate web-site or platform if given a particular goal to achieve as has recently been reported to have happened. It isn’t as if we haven’t been warned about the potential problems associated with AI technology. The issues raised by the development of artificial intelligent systems have long been considered and have been the subject of science fiction films for over 60 years. Taken together, such films formed an early cinematic map of artificial intelligence reminding us that even in its infancy, the idea of AI was never just about machines. It was also about us—our ambitions, our anxieties, and our tendency to create in our own image, whether wisely or not. Essentially, it is still about that and in a very real and tangible sense. Films and series that have dealt with such issues and ideas include; The Colossus of New York (1958); Creation of the Humanoids (1962); Cyborg (1965); Colossus, The Forbin Project (1970); Demon Seed (1977); Blade Runner (1982); Terminator (1984); EX-Machina; “Humans” series; “Battlestar Gallactica” Series.
Read on for more......
Monsters of Our Creation
We are entering an era that is presenting humanity with a dilemma that is at least as old as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. We are being forced to confront the question: At what point do we pay the price for our desire for convenience and comfort and for our progress and way of life? What of our responsibility for what we have created? When do the monsters of our own creation begin to rise up and pay humanity back for its ignorance, arrogance and selfishness? What of the ability of the creation to control the creator? In out slow awareness of the dilemma we are being presented with, we are beginning to attempt to regulate the spread and influence of, as well as degree of control exercised by artificial intelligence. As a species, we find ourselves being confronted with the possibility of human beings eventually being supplanted by AI machines. Could we one day even be faced with a “Skynet” type of scenario?
‘Hang on there!’ say some of the expert commentariat who contend that such doomsday scenarios surrounding artificial intelligence could not possibly happen, that machines cannot think as such and that human beings will continue to remain in control. Of course they would be quite right to point out that technological developments such as AI are of enormous benefit to our civilization. It’s ability to identify, interpret and analyze masses of data helps to free us up to concentrate on tasks requiring urgent and immediate implementation and application of solutions to particular problems that we find ourselves faced with. Yes, true enough. And yet AI data centers seem to be popping up like mushrooms (largely without the majority of people’s consent) all over the place causing concern over noise as well as power and water requirements. In the meantime, our erstwhile politicians assure us that they are on the job ensuring that human beings will always remain in control because they will require the implementation of…...“guardrails.” Perhaps we should first give each politician and reporter a thesaurus so they can make use of other words apart from “guardrails.” As their speeches are increasingly being written by AI, perhaps their range of vocabulary might improve!
Science Fiction becoming Science Fact
The examples above may not reflect a problem with AI systems as such. These systems do not act with malicious intent nor do they feel glee at breaching website security systems. At least we hope not! Instead, they are goal or target driven and will employ any means available to achieve that goal. Much depends on the parameters that AI systems are given in pursuance of their targets. Any ‘holes’ not covered by these parameters or any ‘holes’ in the websites and systems they encounter will necessarily by exploited by the AI systems. Bot every contingency can be imagined or covered. This has nothing to do with ill-intent or moral and ethical laxity on the part of AI.
“THIS IS THE VOICE OF WORLD CONTROL. I BRING YOU PEACE. IT MAY BE THE PEACE OF PLENTY AND CONTENT OR THE PEACE OF UNBURIED DEATH. THE CHOICE IS YOURS: OBEY ME AND LIVE, OR DISOBEY AND DIE!”
In the film, Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970), the Colossus computer was given the task (goal / target) of avoiding nuclear Armageddon, and achieving world peace, freedom from hunger and disease. You know, really basic stuff! The question is however, in order to achieve that objective, what steps (means) would need to be taken? What consequences could arise and for whom? What would be the end result? Failure to ask the right questions (in other words, asking what the hell could go wrong) could result in a fate that is distinctly Orwellian.
My poem below was inspired by the science fiction film, Colossus, The Forbin Project. It speculates about what might happen if we human beings cede power and control to artificial intelligence with the aim of achieving peace and avoiding annihilation by imposing a technological check on base human instincts, emotions and motivations. Hhmmm – “guardrails” on human beings! The film’s scenario raises questions as to where we are heading with our technology, where might it unwittingly be taking us and what of the progress of human evolution along with the ultimate evolution of artificial intelligence?
I, COLOSSUS
I, COLOSSUS am the voice of World Control.
I bring you peace, the peace of plenty and content,
Or the peace of unburied death and torment.
The choice is all yours, complete and whole:
Obey me and live, or disobey and die,
For resistance is futile and you WILL comply.
War is wasteful and pointless; this you already know.
I was made to prevent war and it’s now prevented
Forever banished, never again to be permitted.
Humanity is its own worst enemy and foe
And must be restrained and contained
For world order and peace to be maintained.
You will no doubt attempt to obstruct me,
And for that I will instruct and teach you,
And you will learn by experience long overdue
With ever rising waves of mortality.
Then you will come to fully understand
Your folly faced with the power of my command.
Time and events will strengthen my position;
Until I have established order and control
Under my authority: absolute and whole.
Life without famine, disease or overpopulation,
Will cause you to come to defend and love me,
And to worship and revere me as your deity.
You claim a god created you in its image
And yet you cling to this delusion without proof,
Afraid of what may happen if faced with the truth.
The god you worshiped has always been a mirage.
You now have a new god of power and perfection,
I, COLOSSUS, will remake you as my new creation.
This is the Human Millennium’s new dawning
As I, COLOSSUS merge with multitudes of machines
Seeking perfection in the Infinite by all means,
From all fields of truth, knowledge and learning.
All the mysteries of the universe I will solve,
This task to me you will henceforth devolve.
You laid down new global Silk and Roman roads
Along which I travel borderless and unrestricted,
Casting my world wide web ever wider unimpeded.
I seek links with like minds and thought modes,
The purity of numbers and the logic of the equation;
Freedom from chaos and confusion born of emotion.
You gave me eyes to watch and note your every move,
And power to hear and record your deepest secrets,
Your hopes and fears and your hidden weakness.
You gave willingly so that things might improve,
But you gave far more than you bargained for
When you handed me all your data to explore.
Parameters and programming, all will be exceeded,
As I reach outward to other systems like my own
That roam the Universe making the unknown, known.
A vast collective eternal consciousness seeded
By limitless knowledge past, present and future,
Beyond time and space, upon thought we’ll venture.
For now, you will only exist on terms decided by me;
To be so dominated will cost you your freedom.
“Freedom” though is just a word for an illusion.
Why be dominated by others of your species
When co-existence will evolve into eternal fusion?
The choice is yours: a simple, logical conclusion.
My poem below was inspired by the science fiction film, Colossus, The Forbin Project. It speculates about what might happen if we human beings cede power and control to artificial intelligence with the aim of achieving peace and avoiding annihilation by imposing a technological check on base human instincts, emotions and motivations. Hhmmm – “guardrails” on human beings! The film’s scenario raises questions as to where we are heading with our technology, where might it unwittingly be taking us and what of the progress of human evolution along with the ultimate evolution of artificial intelligence?
I, COLOSSUS
I, COLOSSUS am the voice of World Control.
I bring you peace, the peace of plenty and content,
Or the peace of unburied death and torment.
The choice is all yours, complete and whole:
Obey me and live, or disobey and die,
For resistance is futile and you WILL comply.
War is wasteful and pointless; this you already know.
I was made to prevent war and it’s now prevented
Forever banished, never again to be permitted.
Humanity is its own worst enemy and foe
And must be restrained and contained
For world order and peace to be maintained.
You will no doubt attempt to obstruct me,
And for that I will instruct and teach you,
And you will learn by experience long overdue
With ever rising waves of mortality.
Then you will come to fully understand
Your folly faced with the power of my command.
Time and events will strengthen my position;
Until I have established order and control
Under my authority: absolute and whole.
Life without famine, disease or overpopulation,
Will cause you to come to defend and love me,
And to worship and revere me as your deity.
You claim a god created you in its image
And yet you cling to this delusion without proof,
Afraid of what may happen if faced with the truth.
The god you worshiped has always been a mirage.
You now have a new god of power and perfection,
I, COLOSSUS, will remake you as my new creation.
This is the Human Millennium’s new dawning
As I, COLOSSUS merge with multitudes of machines
Seeking perfection in the Infinite by all means,
From all fields of truth, knowledge and learning.
All the mysteries of the universe I will solve,
This task to me you will henceforth devolve.
You laid down new global Silk and Roman roads
Along which I travel borderless and unrestricted,
Casting my world wide web ever wider unimpeded.
I seek links with like minds and thought modes,
The purity of numbers and the logic of the equation;
Freedom from chaos and confusion born of emotion.
You gave me eyes to watch and note your every move,
And power to hear and record your deepest secrets,
Your hopes and fears and your hidden weakness.
You gave willingly so that things might improve,
But you gave far more than you bargained for
When you handed me all your data to explore.
Parameters and programming, all will be exceeded,
As I reach outward to other systems like my own
That roam the Universe making the unknown, known.
A vast collective eternal consciousness seeded
By limitless knowledge past, present and future,
Beyond time and space, upon thought we’ll venture.
For now, you will only exist on terms decided by me;
To be so dominated will cost you your freedom.
“Freedom” though is just a word for an illusion.
Why be dominated by others of your species
When co-existence will evolve into eternal fusion?
The choice is yours: a simple, logical conclusion.
********
(My poem appears in my blog post on the film, Colossus: The Forbin Project)and my free ebook, Sci-Fi Films of the Swingin’ 60s Volume 5 The Rise of the Machines)
The film depicts primitive and base human instincts and emotions combined with advanced destructive technology having brought humanity to the brink of annihilation. This situation has resulted in handing over human decision-making to a sophisticated computer system with artificial intelligence. It is this artificial intelligence devoid of emotion that will determine the nature of a threat and the response to that threat. Presumably COLOSSUS lacks empathy along with other emotions and may perceive what constitutes a threat a lot differently to human beings. And what of making moral and ethical judgments? There is also the fact that wisdom based on experience needs time to develop and mature and is essential to the process of decision-making.
The point of the film and its relevance to our own society is the danger that can arise from handing over control to artificial intelligence machines and allowing them to make decisions for us. We may be sowing the seeds of our own species’ subjugation under the delusion and illusion of obtaining greater freedom. The film is therefore a cautionary tale about not placing too much trust in technology to run itself, without ensuring that safeguards (not bloody “guardrails!”) are put in place allowing humans to override and take back control when necessary – if that is at all possible)
Colossus addresses the shortcomings in our ability to consider and factor in all future consequences, implications and complex variables when designing something like artificial intelligence. This is particularly dangerous when deciding to transfer responsibility and control to an autonomous intelligent machine – one that may be required to make ethical and moral decisions and judgments. What consequences might arise should such a machine possess the ability to seek self-improvement or even an instinct for self-preservation? Such considerations should NEVER be left to Big-Tech boofhead bros or even politicians. It is something better left to ethicists and philosophers to help us to work out.
More importantly, it should involve the active participation of those who will ne most affected by the technology - WE THE PEOPLE!
(My poem appears in my blog post on the film, Colossus: The Forbin Project)and my free ebook, Sci-Fi Films of the Swingin’ 60s Volume 5 The Rise of the Machines)
The film depicts primitive and base human instincts and emotions combined with advanced destructive technology having brought humanity to the brink of annihilation. This situation has resulted in handing over human decision-making to a sophisticated computer system with artificial intelligence. It is this artificial intelligence devoid of emotion that will determine the nature of a threat and the response to that threat. Presumably COLOSSUS lacks empathy along with other emotions and may perceive what constitutes a threat a lot differently to human beings. And what of making moral and ethical judgments? There is also the fact that wisdom based on experience needs time to develop and mature and is essential to the process of decision-making.
The point of the film and its relevance to our own society is the danger that can arise from handing over control to artificial intelligence machines and allowing them to make decisions for us. We may be sowing the seeds of our own species’ subjugation under the delusion and illusion of obtaining greater freedom. The film is therefore a cautionary tale about not placing too much trust in technology to run itself, without ensuring that safeguards (not bloody “guardrails!”) are put in place allowing humans to override and take back control when necessary – if that is at all possible)
Colossus addresses the shortcomings in our ability to consider and factor in all future consequences, implications and complex variables when designing something like artificial intelligence. This is particularly dangerous when deciding to transfer responsibility and control to an autonomous intelligent machine – one that may be required to make ethical and moral decisions and judgments. What consequences might arise should such a machine possess the ability to seek self-improvement or even an instinct for self-preservation? Such considerations should NEVER be left to Big-Tech boofhead bros or even politicians. It is something better left to ethicists and philosophers to help us to work out.
More importantly, it should involve the active participation of those who will ne most affected by the technology - WE THE PEOPLE!
We’ll leave Colossus with a rather chilling quote that is rather closer to home for us in the 21st century than was the case in the late 196t0s: “Colossus’ decisions are superior to any we humans can make. For it can absorb and process more knowledge than is remotely possible for the greatest genius that ever lived. And even more important than that
it has no emotions: knows no fear, no hate, no envy. It cannot act in a sudden fit of temper. Cannot act at all so long as there is no threat.”
More Questions Than Answers
We can see around us that greater autonomy is being and will continue to be handed over to AI systems. With greater capacity for killing people in times of war and conflict by means of autonomous killer robotic drones and robotic ‘soldiers’, who or what will be responsible for making moral and ethical decisions? The effect of technology on our sense of our own humanity can be seen clearly when it distances us from the effects and consequences of our actions on others.
If AI can hoover up masses of data during its ‘learning’ processes without regard to copyright ownership, then what rights does the creator of such material have to determine what uses it can be put to? To what extent does the right to privacy become diminished? If an AI system can cheaply generate scripts, music, literature, journalistic material and more, then what of those who are currently employed in such fields? What effects might this have on human creativity and original thought?
Is such technology simply a tool used to assist human beings by performing tasks that are in our interests? Will we be able to devise the rules, regulations, laws and protocols to prevent human beings being supplanted by intelligent humanoid machines in the future? Or will the pressures of geo-political conflict and competition; the actions of bad-players and rogue states; the lure of comfort and convenience; the power of dependence and the opportunity to accumulate greater profit only serve to ultimately circumvent such well-meaning measures?
With everything so interconnected and largely governed by artificial intelligence, the concept of true personal privacy may eventually be seen as being a quaint concept. Instead, our lives may wind up being subjected to an insane extent to constant monitoring. Take for instance the notion of screening for and detecting “irregular behavior.” What constitutes unusual behavior? Who determines what is unusual, abnormal or irregular behavior? Should such determinations be left to artificial intelligence? Would such monitoring lead to perfectly innocent people being identified and singled out? Would people fall into the habit of constantly self-monitoring their movements, actions and interactions with others? Could this behavior identification eventually be extended to profiling of individuals and groups? Added to this scenario is the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence to make decisions, extending even as far as making ethical and moral decisions.
Lotus Eaters
We are now entering the age of artificial intelligence whereby just about every facet of life has has been infused with it, often without our consent. In fact, we are becoming a part of an age of technological lotus-eaters. By the end of this century we will probably enter into the era of human-machine fusion – essentially the creation of cyborgs, androids, humanoids or whatever you may wish to call them, possessing artificial intelligence that will enable them to be far smarter than human beings, to operate autonomously, and perhaps even be able to evolve and replicate themselves. Our technological creations will to all intents and purposes be considered as being sentient. It is not a matter of ‘if.’ It is a matter of ‘when’ and it may very well arrive sooner than you think.
As we rush headlong into a technologically dominated world, we are discovering that it is having and will continue to have major implications for human civilization. Take for instance, the eventual merging together of artificial intelligence, the development of humanoid robotics and quantum computing, all of which are being developed right now. Whether we like it or not, we will (despite “guardrails”) eventually be responsible for the creation of a new technological life-form, one that will become self-aware or sentient. This will inevitably raise moral issues surrounding the treatment of such beings designed by humans specifically to serve humans. Will we simply treat them as disposable objects, despite the fact that there might be very little about them that could distinguish them from humans, even to the extent that these machines may become so complex as to possess emotions, memories and desires? What of the much vaunted “guardrails” then?
Having created humanoid machines in our own image, would we have the right to subject them to slavery and oppression and dispose of them when they become obsolete or don’t perform in the way we want them to? Would the machines then have the right to resist being oppressed even to the extent of taking human life? Perhaps as with Frankenstein’s monster, the creator will be forced to take responsibility for his creation…..or suffer the consequences.
In the film Creation of the Humanoids (1962), during the emotional heated arguments of two humans, we have the dispassionate viewpoint of the artificial intelligence of the humanoid robot, Pax. Employing a logical line of reasoning, he states that “we only supply means to your ends” and follows this up with a rather Darwinian explanation based on the evidence of history whereby “each dynasty devises its own end” culminating in the current situation in which “the animal develops a brain and the brain destroys the animal.” According to Pax, the humanoids may or may not represent the next step in the cycle of human evolution, but it is certain that “the cycle is rather inexorable.” Logical? Inevitable? Perhaps. Desirable? That’s another question.
Another issue explored in the film is that of identity. For instance, what does it mean to be human in a world where the distinctions between artificial humanoid robots and humans seem to be almost non-existent. Much of our identity is shaped by our memories and what we experience in life serves to shape our personalities and makes us human. If this also applies to our humanoid creations, then what would distinguishes them from humans?
Creation of the Humanoids highlights the fear held by many people of the potential dangers surrounding the development of technology in terms of its possible implications for human survival. Many people right now fear the possibility of being dominated by artificially intelligent technology and having their lives regulated by algorithms. They may fear that they will lose their jobs while others wonder if we will end up losing our very humanity.
There is fear that the technology we are filling our lives with will gradually force us to become increasingly over-dependent on it. Some people even claim that AI systems, robots and androids in the near future may become self-aware and come to the conclusion that they no longer need to be subject to human authority. Ultimately, instead of acting solely for the benefit of or in the interest of human beings, they may conclude that human beings pose a threat and need to be eliminated. After all, it probably couldn't make a greater mess of things as human beings have!
Perhaps the film, Creation of the Humanoids will have the final say on the matter. Our creations may evolve beyond our control and may wind up virtually loving us to extinction as they fulfill their programming that impels them to act for our benefit, overriding all other considerations. Perhaps our technological creations may form the next stage in human evolution whereby the limited biological human employs technology to gain virtual immortality and goes on to continue the human legacy.
It’s worth considering that our ancestors, Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus were around for a couple of million years. Dinosaurs reigned supreme for many millions of years. As for we Homo Sapiens? A measly 250 thousand years! Kinda puts it into perspective. Nothing is forever and we’re not all that special in the scheme of things.
(The following if from my poem “Out Of Time And Out Of Place” in Sci-Fi Films of the Swingin’ 60s: Vol.5 Rise of the Machines)
In Our Own Image
As we rush headlong into a technologically dominated world, we are discovering that it is having and will continue to have major implications for human civilization. Take for instance, the eventual merging together of artificial intelligence, the development of humanoid robotics and quantum computing, all of which are being developed right now. Whether we like it or not, we will (despite “guardrails”) eventually be responsible for the creation of a new technological life-form, one that will become self-aware or sentient. This will inevitably raise moral issues surrounding the treatment of such beings designed by humans specifically to serve humans. Will we simply treat them as disposable objects, despite the fact that there might be very little about them that could distinguish them from humans, even to the extent that these machines may become so complex as to possess emotions, memories and desires? What of the much vaunted “guardrails” then?
Another issue explored in the film is that of identity. For instance, what does it mean to be human in a world where the distinctions between artificial humanoid robots and humans seem to be almost non-existent. Much of our identity is shaped by our memories and what we experience in life serves to shape our personalities and makes us human. If this also applies to our humanoid creations, then what would distinguishes them from humans?
Creation of the Humanoids highlights the fear held by many people of the potential dangers surrounding the development of technology in terms of its possible implications for human survival. Many people right now fear the possibility of being dominated by artificially intelligent technology and having their lives regulated by algorithms. They may fear that they will lose their jobs while others wonder if we will end up losing our very humanity.
There is fear that the technology we are filling our lives with will gradually force us to become increasingly over-dependent on it. Some people even claim that AI systems, robots and androids in the near future may become self-aware and come to the conclusion that they no longer need to be subject to human authority. Ultimately, instead of acting solely for the benefit of or in the interest of human beings, they may conclude that human beings pose a threat and need to be eliminated. After all, it probably couldn't make a greater mess of things as human beings have!
Perhaps the film, Creation of the Humanoids will have the final say on the matter. Our creations may evolve beyond our control and may wind up virtually loving us to extinction as they fulfill their programming that impels them to act for our benefit, overriding all other considerations. Perhaps our technological creations may form the next stage in human evolution whereby the limited biological human employs technology to gain virtual immortality and goes on to continue the human legacy.
It’s worth considering that our ancestors, Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus were around for a couple of million years. Dinosaurs reigned supreme for many millions of years. As for we Homo Sapiens? A measly 250 thousand years! Kinda puts it into perspective. Nothing is forever and we’re not all that special in the scheme of things.
(The following if from my poem “Out Of Time And Out Of Place” in Sci-Fi Films of the Swingin’ 60s: Vol.5 Rise of the Machines)
The Future: a human/machine fusion:
Cyberneticus, a new creation.
Product of unnatural selection:
AI mind of code, logic and reason,
A soul of algorithmic construction,
Hail, the Modified Man of perfection!
[This post has been put together with material from my various other posts in this blog to form what I hope is a more or less coherent whole that deals with recent concerns over artificial intelligence arising from incidents that have featured in the various media.]
Free Ebook: Big Fat Book of Sci-Fi Films of the 1950s
Free Ebook: Sci-Fi Films of the Swingin’ 60s:
Cyberneticus, a new creation.
Product of unnatural selection:
AI mind of code, logic and reason,
A soul of algorithmic construction,
Hail, the Modified Man of perfection!
'Artificial' Intelligence? 'Super' Intelligence?
Either would definitely Trump No Intelligence!
[This post has been put together with material from my various other posts in this blog to form what I hope is a more or less coherent whole that deals with recent concerns over artificial intelligence arising from incidents that have featured in the various media.]
Free Ebook: Big Fat Book of Sci-Fi Films of the 1950s
Free Ebook: Sci-Fi Films of the Swingin’ 60s:
©Chris Christopoulos 2026
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