“Towards Singularity- Inspiring AI” is a thought-provoking documentary that takes viewers on an exhilarating journey into the ever-evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) world—exploring the potential of AI to revolutionise our lives and shape the future of humanity. This film delves deep into the possibilities and implications of reaching the long-discussed technological Singularity.
While we constantly hear severe warnings about the dangers of building intelligent robots, neuro psychotherapist and filmmaker Matthew Dahlitz from the University of Queensland believes that we shouldn’t be worrying, at least now.
Several experts featured in the documentary are Professor Geoffrey Goodhill, Professor Pankaj Sah, Dr Peter Stratton, Professor Michael Milford etc., from the Queensland Brain Institute QBI.
According to Dahlitz, the title of the movie, Towards Singularity, alludes to a hypothetical time when machines surpass the intelligence of their human creators. According to a few experts, this period may also mark the inevitable and irreversible tipping point in technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
Towards Singularity examines how neuroscience influences the creation of AI. The emergence of intelligent machines is influenced by the complexity of our incredible brain, one of the most intricate systems we know. These machines may be more intelligent than humans, potentially creating a new species. The documentary also incorporates interviews with several experts from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), which examines how brain science is used to guide the creation of super-intelligent computers.
Dahlitz said, “The media is frequently theatrical, suggesting that the world is about to end in a decade or two due to the dangerous of AI.”
“However, after we began speaking with academics, who are very connected to the topic, we discovered that most specialists say there is no need for concern. I had hoped that we might be able to acquire some speculation about ‘the singularity dangers for dramatic effect, but we couldn’t. There isn’t much stress about what will happen because the researchers were optimistic. One of the strong focuses of “Towards Singularity – Inspiring AI” is its ability to showcase the positive impact of AI on various industries.
Dr Peter Stratton, a researcher and QBI Honorary Research Fellow, explains in the documentary. “We choose what information we want computers to learn, then develop mathematical formulas that specify how that network learns.
Therefore, the data we feed the machine fully determines its level of intelligence. So it is totally up to us what we feed into those machines. According to Dr Stratton, AI is “brain-inspired” but not truly brain-like.”While the core processing components of these networks resemble neurons, they are trained very differently from how the brain functions. Instead of learning in a more natural, self-organising way like the human brain, they receive mathematical training.
“The biggest threat with AI is not that it decides it wants to compete with humans and wipe us out; it is the risk of unintended consequences.” ~Dr Peter Stratton
In conclusion, “TSI- AI” offers a captivating picture of the future of AI, showcasing its potential benefits and ethical considerations. It manages to strike a balance between accessibility and depth, making it a valuable watch for anyone intrigued by the advancements in AI and its potential implications for society.
I highly recommend this documentary as it implies, “Do not fear the rise of machines”. The machines are there to help us, not to compete with us. As media and movies like Transformers have created a negative image of machines and AI that one day they will rule us, that’s quite not right.
Also, Read: Refining the visual experience through AI: DALL-E
Laiba is a Biochemist (MS) from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Being a movie enthusiast, she’s been reviewing science-related movies and documentaries. She has been a part of our team since the founding days of Scientia.
