‘Algorithms’ – Kasabian

Tom writes:

Artificial intelligence is major headline news nowadays. Recent leaps forward in its abilities mean that, as ever, we seem to have jumped from reflections on AI being the role of Science Fiction writers and futurists to anybody and everybody. Within the conversation there are many positives and negatives discussed – from the ways in which AI can make life-saving decisions at a speed unavailable to the human mind, to the ways in which those building AI models seem to make use of intellectual property they may not have rights to. We also regularly note that AI still has significant imperfections (such as the ending of a pilot programme using AI in ordering processes at McDonald’s after numerous mistakes, such ice-cream topped with vast quantities of bacon, went viral), as well as being aware that much of what we use AI for is pretty banal (for example, the software I’m writing this on uses AI to suggest words I might write before I’ve finished writing them).

Of course, some of these conversations are shaped by the art of science-fiction, which has been reflecting on artificial and robotic intelligence for almost as long as its existed as a genre – Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is about many things, but it’s certainly arguable that one of its subjects is about the kind of intelligence we might consider the eponymous doctor’s creation has. Much more recently, artificial intelligence has been at the heart of stories such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Terminator, A.I. (of course), the Matrix series, and many more. It is noticeable that in much of the reflection that sci-fi has created around this theme, it is the problems that have been highlighted – which is hardly surprising, given that one of the keys to successful story telling is conflict.

So, we have HAL 9000, the murderous supercomputer on Discovery One in 2001, the rise of Skynet in the Terminator films, and even in the fantastical setting of my hobby, Warhammer 40,000, the rise and then destruction of artificial intelligence is part of the story behind the stagnation of technology so far into the future.

Amongst philosophers and theologians, however, the questions asked tend to be more around the independence of intelligence. When, we might ask, does artificial intelligence become a person? Can it only be a person if it has a body (therefore entering the realm of robotic intelligence)? If it is not a body but the level of rational thought that is necessary, then what is it that defines that level – the ability to play and create, or the ability to have and express emotions? And which emotions are the key ones? Clearly, from what I write above, what we fear is an artificial intelligence that can experience existential fear and hate – the emotions needed in order to see humanity as an enemy that needs to be fought and conquered.

In Kasabian’s song, however, we find a different reflection on artificial intelligence. It is, without doubt, a sceptical piece of art, questioning the validity of AI beyond being machine thinking. Yet it approaches it from the direction not of hate, but of love. The singer and their object are humans, in love with one another, and wanting to spend time together (the theme of a very many pop songs in history), but the comparison is with AI. The song seems to be a critique of both internet dating, where websites match people based on algorithms rather than interpersonal chemistry, and also AI itself, suggesting that AI cannot love – at least, not like humans can.

Which, to me, raises the interesting question – what if it could? Is the resolution of the question around when AI moves beyond the artificial to the personal to be found in whether or not it experiences and lives out the emotion of love? And if it does, then what will our response be? Not just in terms of secular society, but also theology – can a computer-based intelligence that can clearly express love be seen as an image of the divine, can it, should it, be given Baptism and Communion, might it be able to be a Member of the Methodist Church?

In some ways, all of this is just rambling, from the basis of one fairly short yet reasonably catchy pop-rock song. Yet, as the developments in AI continue, they’re questions we need to be asking. Thankfully, I know some people out there are. Maybe it’s time more of us joined them – if we can just escape the algorithms that ensure what we get to see are cute cats, popular products, and the latest memes…

You can find out more about Kasabian at https://www.kasabian.co.uk/