Reflection: Writing took me a while to get started, but once I did it all just seemed to flow out.

Im not too sure on the fluidity of everything, but I feel confident enough. Going back and
watching the source material for some of the artificial intelligence program tests got really
creepy though. The idea both fascinates me, and horrifies me.
Samuel Kaufman
Mrs. Thomas
UWRT 1103-035
December 9, 2015

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Computers. We all deal with them on a regular basis. Their inanimate nature infuriates us
when something is wrong. We sometimes even yell at them. But, what if the computer yelled
back? What if the computer was able to respond to the situation, explain the problem in detail in
a conversation indistinguishable from talking to an IT professional? We have seen this in many a
Sci-fi movie. Computers with intelligence, with personality. An outlandish concept for sure, but
not as impossible as one might think. As computational power continues to grow, the ability for
computers to simulate thinking becomes higher and higher. Is this okay, though? What would a
sentient computer think? Would it question its existence, its purpose? Would it be able to show
emotion? If so, would it suffer, knowing that it is a machine built for the sole purpose of being a
thinking machine?

Now, one might be thinking something along the lines of, What? Why would we bother
asking these questions about something that doesnt exist? Well, yes, for the time being anyway,
sentient computers that can think are a ways away. But we are a lot closer than one might think.
We have had programs that are able to learn based on patterns for years now. They are able to
take in information, process it, and use it in order to perform specific functions.
Some of these programs are even so advanced that, after taking it countless examples of human
communication, they are able to hold some semblance of a conversation. One very notorious and
easy to access example of this is the meme-powered internet learning program, Cleverbot.
Cleverbot can be accessed for free online and can hold the barest semblance of a conversation.
Another example of a learning-program based artificial intelligence would be a robot
featured on the television show Nova. This robot was a bit more advanced, capable of using
facial recognition software in conjunction with a speech-to-text program in order to hold an
actual, real life conversation. It got its knowledge from a base of programmed behavior, the
internet, and its own interactions. However, it itself stated that it did not think. When asked the
question, Will robots take over the world? the robot appeared to make a humorous response,
referencing the Terminator movies. It also made a very creepy comment about keeping its friends
in a people zoo. This could be played off as humor, assuming the robot was programmed to do
such. The possibility of it not, however, is absolutely horrifying. Just how do robots, with
something resembling the ability to think, view humanity?
None can say for certain at this time, though. All we can really do is ponder on the
countless what-ifs related to artificial intelligence. Is making sentient computers a good idea?
Will they be miserable? Or will they turn on us, as depicted in the Terminator movies? One

might also wonder why it is we are so fascinated with doing such in the first place. Do we wish
to be on higher ground than something? Is it all a part of a supposed god complex humanity is
said to have? I guess I have raised more questions here than I can expect to answer, but I hope
that I am able to inspire thought on this subject by asking these very questions.