Do machines already exceed human intelligence?

[Speakpigeon]

This is a poll. Thank you to vote before posting any comment.

Question: Do machines already exceed human intelligence?

1. Calculators and computers can do complex maths far faster than humans, and more accurately.
2. Programs can look at ten million pictures and pick out the criminal suspect in one of them in seconds.
3. Autopilots can fly aircraft far more accurately and efficiently than humans can.
4. Elevator controls effectively never make mistakes.
5. Therefore, machines are already exceeding human intelligence in many areas.

EB

 

[James R]

It really depends on how you're defining "intelligence". Machines exceed human performance at various specific tasks. Most people think of "intelligence" as a more general-purpose trait, though.

 

[Speakpigeon]

It really depends on how you're defining "intelligence". Machines exceed human performance at various specific tasks. Most people think of "intelligence" as a more general-purpose trait, though.

Do you accept that your pocket-calculator is more intelligent than you are?
EB

 

[billvon]

The poll as stated makes little sense. Machine intelligence already exceeds human intelligence in MANY not ALL ways. The correct answer to the poll is "often."

 

[billvon]

Do you accept that your pocket-calculator is more intelligent than you are?

At calculating? Yes. At creative writing? No.

 

[Speakpigeon]

The poll as stated makes little sense. Machine intelligence already exceeds human intelligence in MANY not ALL ways. The correct answer to the poll is "often."

That's what you think but maybe not what most people think.
I don't believe that a pocket calculator is more intelligent than I am.

Intelligence
1. The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge.​

EB

 

[billvon]

That's what you think but maybe not what most people think.
I don't believe that a pocket calculator is more intelligent than I am.

Can you multiply faster than a pocket calculator?

 

[spidergoat]

In specific tasks, yes. In general intelligence no.

 

[James R]

Do you accept that your pocket-calculator is more intelligent than you are?
EB

No, but like I said, it depends on how you want to measure or define intelligence.

You quoted this: "1. The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge."

Using that definition, I'd say my pocket calculator is not very intelligent. Wouldn't you?

On the other hand, it is pretty fast at arithmetic and certain other mathematical calculations. Faster than I can do them manually, in many cases. How about you?

 

[Truck Captain Stumpy]

all offered IMHO

Do machines already exceed human intelligence?

no. see James R above

Calculators and computers can do complex maths far faster than humans, and more accurately.

not without direct input from an outside source (usually human). that isn't intelligent any more than rocks are birds or flight-capable because rocks can be fired from a trebuchet

Programs can look at ten million pictures and pick out the criminal suspect in one of them in seconds

so far, your arguments are all about speed-of-task and not intelligence. "if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree..."

Autopilots can fly aircraft far more accurately and efficiently than humans can.

not without human input.

 

[iceaura]

Some people in some circumstances are outmatched in intelligence by a windshield wiper.

"if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree..."

http://thescienceexplorer.com/nature/flexible-fins-allow-fish-climb-trees
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-488193/The-fish-survive-months-tree.html
https://www.thesprucepets.com/some-fish-can-climb-trees-3969450
The tree climbing fish do not appear to be among the more intelligent fish.

Octopods can climb almost anything - and they do seem pretty bright. There's thinking happening behind those eyeballs - - -

 

[parmalee]

Some people in some circumstances are outmatched in intelligence by a windshield wiper.

I've been waiting for someone to point this out. Domesticated humans are distressingly lacking in intelligence, and tech--like putting a freakin' screen on the auto dash, so that you don't even have to know how to back up a car--ain't helping.

 

[sideshowbob]

Domesticated humans are distressingly lacking in intelligence....

I note the difference between Robinson Crusoe and Lord of the Flies, individual intelligence versus collective intelligence. Probably a hundred Crusoes die for every one that survives. Collectively, the intelligent save the unintelligent - but collectively we're also our own worst enemies.

 

[Truck Captain Stumpy]

like putting a freakin' screen on the auto dash, so that you don't even have to know how to back up a car

personally, I rather like this option, though I don't use it to back the vehicle.
I just like knowing if there is a kid behind my vehicle...

Some people in some circumstances are outmatched in intelligence by a windshield wiper.

true that

Collectively, the intelligent save the unintelligent - but collectively we're also our own worst enemies

speaking from experience and my job - I agree with this.

 

[parmalee]

I note the difference between Robinson Crusoe and Lord of the Flies, individual intelligence versus collective intelligence. Probably a hundred Crusoes die for every one that survives. Collectively, the intelligent save the unintelligent - but collectively we're also our own worst enemies.

I think the balance has shifted quite dramatically since the Industrial Revolution, and even more so with the "advances" of the previous few decades.

 

[parmalee]

personally, I rather like this option, though I don't use it to back the vehicle.
I just like knowing if there is a kid behind my vehicle...

Sure, IF that is how people are using it. (Also, that was the first thing that popped into my head--there are countless better examples.) . But, it kinda goes without saying, things are seldom used strictly for their intended purposes.

 

[billvon]

not without direct input from an outside source (usually human).

Nope. A great many embedded systems do very complex calculations without getting the numbers from a human - or any source other than the environment they are in. (Which is the same thing humans do BTW.)

that isn't intelligent any more than rocks are birds or flight-capable because rocks can be fired from a trebuchet

Be hard to argue that asteroids are not in flight.

so far, your arguments are all about speed-of-task and not intelligence.

Speed is part of intelligence. I think everyone here would agree that if you have two people, and the first can do a task (say, math problems) more quickly and more accurately than the other, then the first person would be considered more intelligent in that skill.

 

[Speakpigeon]

No, but like I said, it depends on how you want to measure or define intelligence.
You quoted this: "1. The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge."
Using that definition, I'd say my pocket calculator is not very intelligent. Wouldn't you?
On the other hand, it is pretty fast at arithmetic and certain other mathematical calculations. Faster than I can do them manually, in many cases. How about you?

And speed obviously is not intelligence.
EB

 

[Speakpigeon]

all offered IMHO
no. see James R above
not without direct input from an outside source (usually human). that isn't intelligent any more than rocks are birds or flight-capable because rocks can be fired from a trebuchet
so far, your arguments are all about speed-of-task and not intelligence. "if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree..."
not without human input.

All good with me, but my first post wasn't my arguments. I just wanted most people agree with me.
EB

 

[billvon]

And speed obviously is not intelligence.
EB

Nope. Just a part of it.