There is an interesting debate raging in science and technology circles: can Artificial Intelligence reproduce? The answer to this question isn’t necessarily ‘yes,’ as some researchers say. However, they do believe that the technology is not that far off. In fact, some research teams are already making it a reality. Read on to learn more about the science behind AI and its potential for reproduction. And, of course, let us know what you think!
The ability of machines to replicate themselves may be the key to the future of medicine and science. Researchers at the University of Vermont have created what they call Xenobots. These ‘living machines’ can find cells and assemble them into smaller versions of themselves. These ‘xenobots’ can even heal themselves, using the stem cells of an African clawed frog. But how would these robots reproduce?
The answer to the question of “Can Artificial Intelligence reproduce?” Comes from the study of xenobots, which are synthetic lifeforms made from clusters of stem cells from African clawed frog embryos. Researchers have tried a variety of body shapes on xenobots to determine which one is most capable of self-reproduction. But despite the difficulties they faced, they succeeded in producing xenobots with enormous bodies, and even great-great-grandchildren.
In theory, a computer program could be programmed to generate self-replicating neural networks. However, the system would be unable to reproduce human intelligence. The human mind has the ability to create mutual information, and this is what differentiates human intelligence from artificial. So, while AI could replicate human intelligence, it would not be able to reproduce it for a very long time. This could be due to the fact that we cannot make an AI with the same ability to reason.
A possible scenario of artificial intelligence dominating Earth’s environment is a very scary one. In that case, the question of whether AI could reproduce is of great interest. Those who are worried about AI should look into Michael Shermer’s recent article entitled, ‘Why AI Is Not an Existential Threat’. Interestingly, Damasio is also a prominent figure in scientific and philosophy circles.
The answer to the question of how life originated is close. Several scientists have successfully engineered things that can approximate life. In one case, a team of scientists at the University of Vermont has programmed frog skin cells to be self-reproducing. The resulting xenobots can swim, reproduce, and corral loose cells. Although these efforts are still in the early stages, they demonstrate that artificial intelligence can reproduce.
As the xenobots developed by artificial intelligence were able to reproduce, they could be put to other uses. For example, these artificial organisms could collect microplastics in the ocean or safely deliver drugs to humans. While this is still in its early stages, researchers are hoping to harness these robots for the benefit of mankind someday. In the meantime, they are still in the lab for research purposes. But their potential is immense.
The potential of Artificial Intelligence reproducing itself is quite scary. Scientists dream of robots that can reproduce themselves. They hope to build robots the size of molecules and convert them into machines. However, a miscalculated nanotechnology experiment could result in self-replicating robots that would devour an entire galaxy. They’re already concerned that AI will be able to replicate itself, but that is a far cry from becoming a reality.
One of the major pitfalls of artificial intelligence is its lack of consciousness. Without a well-defined consciousness, AI algorithms are unable to replicate human consciousness. For now, however, the technology is proving itself to be a boon to humankind. By the year 2025, artificial intelligence will replace 85 million jobs globally. And that’s just the beginning! With the help of robotics, we can help humans in more ways than one!
We have the potential to make social robots that help humans in their everyday lives. They are already being tested for use in health care, child care, and law enforcement. Even entertainment is not too far away, as social robots have already helped dieters in Boston and are developing in science fiction. And who knows, they may be able to reproduce entire human babies with just skin cells. What is possible is the power of advanced technologies to turn the impossible into a reality!