AI WARFARE AND HUMANITY

A few days ago, I was programming on a project about Genetic Algorithm. After a few hours, I went to Facebook and secretly stalked on my friends. There I saw a friend posted a video which was taken from an aerial view of an RC drone. It was amazing and I liked it. So I checked a few videos on YouTube about those drones. I watched RC drones, quad-flyers, tiny ships and tanks, planes and dogfights. I was especially impressed by FPV (First Person View) controlling where RC planes can fly and see the world around while its player sits on the ground.

Suddenly three thoughts subsequently struck me. First, “If we can insert Ethernet Controller on drones or planes or tanks, create a certain network around them, mark a certain cryptic code to describe identification of alliance forces and we can play real time ‘Modern Warfare’ with our friends” (lols). I even realized the design structure of drones I want to build at that moment.

Second idea was “Why, in Middle East, terrorists would blow themselves up to kill both enemy troops and poor civilians rather than to meet 72 virgins after they died while they could use drones to fly hundreds of meters above the ground and drop the shells on enemy buildings? Cause to shoot something flying at 70mph, good luck with that” Yea right, I know. That sounds damn cowardly, evil and abuse of technology. But wait for it. You will see another evil idea of mine coming up. Keep reading.

The last thought was terrible. If we can program a Genetic Algorithm and make simulations for shooting missiles, dodging other missiles, identifying enemy units, recon and other complex things, it would make an incredibly powerful drone army after evolving for hundreds of generations. Those genetically intelligent drones will be able to calculate several steps to avoid any danger before it even faces it. I imagined lots of our soldiers’ life would be saved if such thing ever happened.

Why I feel terrible about my thoughts

I realize those ideas are big and would really benefit a country’s military might. But, when I planned to make a simulation of those ideas with programming, I imagined other opinions. In future, we might take directions of intelligent machines to identify enemies without hindering for a second. When we are not facing other humans in person, it’s a high chance we would do something we will never do face to face. It’s part of human psychology to show power. If you played GTA before, you would understand exactly what I mean.

I do not believe that humans will be destroyed by more intelligent machines or something sort of. Yes, I believe we can make machines accomplish tasks in many ways humans could not even catch up. But it’s not very sure that humans will use those in our benefits.

Now what?

I am not claiming that those AI machines would only arise military powers. I am confident that we could use them to help developing nations, disastrous areas and dangerous territories. For example, we can send help to disastrous places in short time where there are difficult transportations. We can use those for life-saving or emergency purposes. Our earth will be much more peaceful when we humans are no longer craving to destroy each other. I just wish all those Star Wars and Terminator movies stay fictional.