[MURG] AI as R&D for MU (was: uploading IP)

[Randal A. Koene]

Hi YKY,

On Thu, 11 Mar 2004, Yan King Yin wrote:

> I'm glad to get some feedback and get the discussion going
> but I also found another more important question: The
> development of AI may be slightly more rapid than uploading
> and it may render uploading R&D a rather trivial problem.
> Maybe it is really wiser to develop AI first and then
> exploit the massive automation.

Hm. I think Eugene may have a word or two to say regarding this topic! AI
as the R&D for mind uploading is another one of those topics that lead to
hot debate. On the one hand, most people will agree that strong AI would
be helpful if it could be used to solve some of the research problems in
mind uploading. On the other hand, there are those of us who envision a
scenario where such A.I. may simply may humanity obsolete and thereby
cancel any progress toward mind uploading. The big question is as always:
Can super A.I. truly be designed to be purely friendly and helpful - or
would it quickly realize that outpacing and obsoleting humanity is in its
own interest?

Cheers,
       Randal