Matthew Williams

Matthew S Williams is a professional writer for Universe Today and Interesting Engineering. His articles have been featured in Phys.org, HeroX, Popular Mechanics, Business Insider, Gizmodo and IO9, Science Alert, Knowridge Science Report, and Real Clear Science, with topics ranging from astronomy and Earth sciences to technological innovation and environmental issues. He is also a former educator, a science-fiction author, and a 5^th degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do instructor. He lives on Vancouver Island with his wife and family.

 

Issue: 8:1 (The twenty nineth issue)

The development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) is and will
profoundly reshape human society, the culture and the composition of
civilisations which make up human kind. All technological triggers tend to
drive a hype curve which over time is realised by an output which is often
unexpected, taking both pessimistic and optimistic perspectives and actions of
drivers, contributors and enablers on a journey where the ultimate destination
may be unclear. In this paper we hypothesise that this journey is not dissimilar
to the personal journey described by the Kubler-Ross change curve and
illustrate this by commentary on the potential of AI for drug discovery,
development and healthcare and as an enabler for deep space exploration and
colonisation. Recent advances in the call for regulation to ensure development
of safety measures associated with machine-based learning are presented
which, together with regulation of the rapidly emerging digital after-life
industry, should provide a platform for realising the full potential benefit of AI
for the human species.