AI's Future is Similar to that of Star Trek's Borg, Scientists Say

[Judi Lynn]

Mar 24, 2024 by News Staff

In a new paper in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence, leading computer scientists from around the world review recent machine learning advances converging towards creating a collective machine-learned intelligence. They propose that the convergence of such scientific and technological advances will lead to the emergence of new types of scalable, resilient and sustainable AI systems.



Soltoggio et al. say we are set to see the emergence of Collective AI, where numerous artificial intelligence units, each capable of continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills, form a network to share information with each other.


Loughborough University’s Dr. Andrea Soltoggio and colleagues recognize the striking similarities between Collective AI and many science fiction concepts.

One example they cite is The Borg, cybernetic organisms featured in the Star Trek universe, which operate and share knowledge through a linked hive-mind. However, unlike many sci-fi narratives, the authors envision Collective AI will lead to major positive breakthroughs across various fields.

“Instant knowledge sharing across a collective network of AI units capable of continuously learning and adapting to new data will enable rapid responses to novel situations, challenges, or threats,” Dr. Soltoggio said.

“For example, in a cybersecurity setting if one AI unit identifies a threat, it can quickly share knowledge and prompt a collective response — much like how the human immune system protects the body from outside invaders.”

More:
https://www.sci.news/othersciences/computerscience/collective-ai-12790.html

[getagrip_already]

1. Has ots drawbacks also...

My company blocks all AI interfaces because it doesn't want to be training it to help competitors with our IP.

So if we end up using it, it will have to have a data diode, where it can learn from the internet, but not upload or teach what it knows.

That may become common, so there will be competing "brains" that won't share what they know unless you are a part of their family.

Workers will become even less empowered, since skills they have at company x will essentially not be transferable to company y.

[LudwigPastorius]

2. I see networked AIs as more like a particular 70s movie...

than Star Trek.