Steve Wozniak: first a man, then a robot



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– The robots must remain our faithful servants and do only what we let them do. If the time came for them to decide for themselves, it would be a problem – says Interii Steve Wozniak, one of the founders of Apple, came to Warsaw at the invitation of the Polish National Foundation as part of the 100×100 cycle.

Bartosz Bednarz (Interia), Krzysztof Berenda (FMR FM): Can artificial intelligence be a threat to us? Especially the one used in the military sector?

Steve Woźniak, one of the founders of Apple: I have a lot of fears, not only in the military context, but also in everyday life. I fear that we rely too much on artificial intelligence and that confidence in it leads us to many misfortunes. Take an example of an autonomous car. I doubt that it happens that the cars are fully driven. The first attempts have already caused many accidents and even death, and I do not know if we will get to the point where this technology will become safe enough.

As far as military use is concerned, creating a weapon that makes decisions on its own, without human oversight – in my opinion – is problematic. Apart from the fact that this type of technology would remain secret, I would not want my company to participate in such projects.

So, should we ban the development of artificial intelligence in certain spheres of life?

– It seems to me that it is not possible to introduce such a ban at the legal level. But on the personal level, many people and companies oppose and protest against them. The problem is that there will always be another company that will do it for money.

Artificial intelligence will change the role of man?

– The artificial intelligence can not think. If that were the case, the role of the man could change. There is a risk that humans become subordinate to machines. But this is not possible in the centuries to come. For this to happen, the machines should control everything in the world, including their own maintenance, which would also involve the extraction and processing of all the elements necessary for their construction, as well as the communication between many machines without human intervention. People would be needed in transport, in logistics. However, the existing machines are not "natural" enough. I do not think that will happen.

We know that innovation often makes our lives better, easier and more effective. But sometimes, innovation, and more specifically robots, occupy jobs. Should we tax works to help these people adapt to the new reality?

– I do not agree with your thesis. Every time new technologies appeared, a new tool that simplified our lives, they simultaneously took jobs. Let's look at the robots that build cars: they stole the work from human hands. Then we have a job for everyone. Society finds a way to keep people working. There are many professions in which a man has been replaced by a machine: in kiosks, fast-food restaurants, airports.

So, you would not tax robots?

– No, I'm not for a tax on robots. I will say more, I support the use of robots. They will become our faithful servants and will only do what we want them to do. If they arrive at the moment when they acquire the ability to decide for themselves, that would be a problem.

Let's talk about something else. How much will it take for the next revolutionary technology? Really revolutionary. On the weight of a computer or a smartphone.

– I could not predict it. This will come, but in the distant future. Technology often reaches the "technological plateau", a certain standardization. The shape of the car was defined over a century ago and we build it on the basis of the same guidelines: four wheels on the ground, specific dimensions, possibility to accommodate a number of people. The vehicles are used for the same activities as in the beginning. It's something that has changed little in a long time, normalized. And the current "plateau" is more about the smartphone: it holds in the hand, has different parameters. It is possible that this is the moment of technological suspension – the end of its development. People say, "God, if only we could control things with our minds, we would go one step further." I doubt that this will happen one day. I have not seen any compelling example of taking such a step.

Do you believe that we are still living in a time when the transition from a garage to a multi-million dollar company, such as Apple, is still possible?

– Yes, and that's something that is happening again. This is not a too visible phenomenon. Because they are not companies that are the end product generally known, they are not widely advertised. These are companies that are noticed by the big players who buy and capture their talent. It is still possible to set up a business in the "garage". If I'm good at what I do, I'll make a career.

Can you create a great company from the garage? And become a billionaire with only a good head?

"The people I appreciate are just that kind of young entrepreneurs who do exactly what you ask for.

Bartosz Bednarz, Interia and Krzysztof Berenda, RMF spoke

Steve Wozniak – US engineer, maker of Apple I and Apple II computers; one of the three founders of Apple Computer (including Steve Jobs). He built his first computer at the age of 14. He finished his adventure with Apple in 1985.

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