XPost: comp.robotics.misc, comp.ai.philosophy   
   From: chrisks@NOSPAMudel.edu   
      
   David Harper wrote:   
      
   > I was interested in hearing some people's views on AI eventually   
   > evolving to the point where it could aid in (or even become?)   
   > government.  Yes, yes... this question was spurred after seeing "I,   
   > Robot", although I don't think did justice to Asimov's stories.  I'm   
   > not sure how often this topic has been discussed before, but a 'quick'   
   > search did not show any previous discussions (although I'm pretty sure   
   > there's plenty).   
   >   
   > For those not familiar with Asimov's fiction, Multivac is a common   
   > "character" in some of his short stories.  It's usually a computer   
   > that is constantly fed data, analyzes problems facing humanity, and   
   > outputs solutions in accordance with the 3 (or 4) laws.   
   >   
   > So the question I'm posing is this:   
   >   
   > In your opinion, could a future government that incorporates   
   > artificial intelligence govern humanity better than a strictly   
   > human-run government?   
   >   
   > This question is open to interpretation, and can include AI subject to   
   > additional (or different) laws than the 3 (or 4) traditional ones.   
   >   
   > I'm holding my personal views back until other people throw in their   
   > two cents, but I'm looking forward to the comments!   
   >   
   > Dave   
   >   
      
   Was I the only one rooting for the mainframe in I Robot? You've got to   
   admit, it had a good point. We've not always proven worthy of our freedoms.   
      
   In regards to your original question, of course. Assuming its eventual   
   technical feasibility, a computer assisted or fully automated government   
   would undoubtably be less corrupt and inefficient than its human based   
   equivalent. Although I don't think we'll ever give up *full* control.   
   Naturally, the end result will depend on who creates it. After all, a   
   computer is only a smart as the human who programs it.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)