Artificial Intelligences

Artificial Intelligences

Jikarchi 05 Dec 2010 22:25

I've noticed a rather complete absence of AIs on the site, to the point that I suspect it may be a taboo plot-element. Still, I'd like to ask where we are placing our capabilities in this regard. I think many of the races have cyborgs and gene-manipulation, but where do we draw the line?

In the thread discussing Empire Sizes, Xaxl voiced his objection to there being empires numbering in the millions of star systems. I agree with this purely from a logistical standpoint (both in character and out of it). One COULD assume hyper advanced machine minds could manage empires of this size and complexity, but I know a good deal of the members here are against that sort of pseudo-God-like AIs.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Xaxl 05 Dec 2010 22:27

I've heard nothing against AI; they're probably not important enough to be mentioned by anyone yet. I know that the Empire is highly anti-AI, though.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Xaxl 05 Dec 2010 22:28

(Mainly because the entire hundred-year-long Xeno Conflict was orchestrated by the other civilization's AI.)

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Quilty Spork 05 Dec 2010 23:10

AIs are definitely not banned. We haven't gotten around to making the page yet though.

As far as the capability of AIs goes, I think that's something that would vary by civilisation…within reason, of course.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, do we know you from somewhere off site, or did you happen to stumble upon this place?

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Quilty Spork 05 Dec 2010 23:12

Oh, just for reference:

http://enlightenment-universe.wikidot.com/technologies

If you look at the Science page you can see that AI is something which is on our 'to do' list.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Jikarchi 05 Dec 2010 23:47

Aldaris invited me, I asked if I could create a Zerg-style hive-minded race, and he said ok.

Don't worry though, I don't plan on creating a complete rip off, I just feel like trying giant space bugs. Which makes me wonder how I would even use AIs… I suppose I could have something comparable to the Cerebrates, very powerful organic-based minds using telepathy to manage the hive-minds.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

InnocentBystander 06 Dec 2010 19:43

I'd say that AIs can be very powerfull, and indeed capable of managing empires on their own in some specific cases (Worth a faction, I'd say), but it probably shouldn't be the norm, on the other hand, most governments would include AI advisors ranging from extremely detailed and intriciate but ultimately non-self-aware expert systems to minds beyond understanding. No converting planetary masses into computers, though.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Xaxl 06 Dec 2010 20:04

Aww. How come?

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Jikarchi 07 Dec 2010 04:51

… Actually I agree with Xaxl, how come? Even assuming computer tech hits a wall, actually ESPECIALLY if computer tech hits a wall, the only viable alternative is to build bigger computers. And then your only realm limit becomes the timescale. And while no official date has been put forth, it seems like you've been hinting at a thousand (or thousands of) years hence. At least some converted moonlets and asteroids would be in order…

Though I do agree with you about the non-sentient AIs, an intelligence doesn't need to be self-aware in order to manage a mega-interstellar empire. In fact I would guess that sentience would probably just hinder it in it's job.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Xaxl 07 Dec 2010 05:10

Jik, buddy, I was mostly being sarcastic (and a troll). Besides, for the semi-serious part of me asking, I was more referring to highly advanced societies. I would never expect humans to have converted anything into a computer.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Xaxl 07 Dec 2010 05:12

Oh god.
"Sentience would only hinder their jobs"
It's Blindsight all over again
Oh god no
No!
A horrifying universe of automatons to whom a friendly hello can only be registered as a cognitive attack!

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Jikarchi 07 Dec 2010 06:16

I was referring to a management system, something like the sum of a country's laws or the postal system or governments of today. Perfect automation and stability would certainly beneficial for such systems. Think of it, if the thing was sentient it wouldn't take very long for it to go insane, if it had to be aware of the millions of worlds under it's jurisdiction, quadrillions of individual lives…

Of course there would still be sentients, the citizens who inhabit the worlds.

Re: Artificial Intelligences

Xaxl 07 Dec 2010 11:33

If it's an AI it might very well not go insane, since it's not human. That sort of amount of information could be perfectly normal for it.

Also, I know. I'm referring to a book that posits that self-awareness is an evolutionary fluke and that most life in the universe wouldn't have it.