Artificial intelligence is like a brain without a body.
Instead of billions of neurons, computers contain bits and bytes of varying voltage levels so they can do stuff like provide directions, select and edit our best photos, or beat humans at chess.
Deep Blue beat Kasparov not by matching his insight and intuition but by overwhelming him with blind calculation. Thanks to years of exponential gains in processing speed, combined with steady improvements in the efficiency of search algorithms, the computer was able to comb through enough possible moves in short enough time to outduel the champion.
Nicholas Carr, A Brutal Intelligence: AI, Chess, and the Human Mind
Machines contain faster processors than human brains. Even the most effective Ritalin in the world would leave humans trailing behind its fellow instrument.
The irony, of course, is that AI is a factory of nothingness without human programming. Computers are ‘competent without comprehension,’ chugging along like a human does on automatic pilot.
If anything, we need to augment humans with machines. Thanks to Elon Musk, we’re nearly there.
We’re a brain chip away from the computer-powered brain, scampering closer to superhuman cyborgs.
Becoming the tools of our tools, the brain with a body comes back to finish the chess game first.