Skynet, GLaDOS, HAL, Cylons - these sinister villains comprise a framework that frightens the global community from actively pursuing and consuming artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as AI technology. These and other popular depictions of artificial intelligence as evil overlords exemplify how AI arouses strong reactions. Such intense emotions result in unwarranted apprehension towards all technology associated with AI, including neuromorphic technologies, machines whose form, function, and architecture are designed with the mammalian brain in mind. One manifestation of this technology is the neuromorphic computer chip, TrueNorth, IBM’s latest effort in conjunction with DARPA’s SyNAPSE program, which aims to develop neuromorphic…show more content… Recently, many scientists and technology industry figures express concern when discussing AI, likely alarmed at the billions of dollars being poured into researching AI and the many ways in which it touches human lives. TrueNorth gives smartphones advanced AI functions that constitutes a major development in the world of intelligent computing, and so their warning tales can also be applied to TrueNorth’s smartphone future. One of these scientists is James Barrat, a documentarian who spelled out the downfall of humanity as designing machines with cognitive abilities equal to humans with the creative powers to design “Super AI” (Heifetz). Barrat, and other members of the AI-cautious community, are right to fear this futuristic vision; advances in AI bring creativity and logic together, nearly closing the gap between human and machine, and a malicious intelligent computer could cause untold death and destruction. However, this future is so unlikely, it is not useful in formulating a plan for TrueNorth’s
