Machines Like Us

Another headline pops up: "Scientists aim to make computer that thinks like a human." And I think no, No, NO! Don't, whatever you do, do that. Even if Ray Kurzweil is the one suggesting it's coming.

Why don't I like the idea of a human-like computer? Am I creating a silicon ceiling beneath which I'm trying to keep our processing friends?

Actually, no. I just think that humans are a terrible example to follow if you want to develop something that's conscious -- which is generally what these efforts to create "human-like" systems are really about: to reach the point where the machine says "I am", and everyone falls about, stunned.

Read full story at The Guardian.