A Journey Through AI History

Ben Goertzel, a notable figure in the world of AI, uprooted his academic career (yes, a Ph.D. in mathematics!) and scared the corporate world in the 90s with his insights into artificial intelligence applications. He brought his genius to various fields — from genetics to national security, sprinkling a bit of AI magic wherever he went. His passion for transitioning from narrow AI to AGI (artificial general intelligence) has kept him on the cutting edge of AI research, and boy, does he have stories to tell!

The Quest for Humanoid Robots

Fast-forward to six years ago when this AI wizard relocated to the bustling streets of Hong Kong and partnered with his buddy, David Hanson. The duo embarked on a mission to blend AI with robotics, fashioning humanoid robots like Sophia, with features so realistic that you half-expect them to join you for a coffee chat. They aim to create robots that are not only stunning to behold but also possess intelligence — a feat that’s not as easy as making a nice cup of joe!

Artificial General Intelligence: The New Frontier

Goertzel coined the term AGI in the early 2000s, and since then, he’s been rallying the troops by organizing annual AGI conferences. The concept of AGI has blossomed over the past decade, and Goertzel believes it might be our key to solving some of humanity’s trickiest problems — if we can guide it correctly.

AGI vs. Narrow AI

• Narrow AI: Designed for specific tasks (like sorting your laundry, if only it were that easy).
• AGI: The dream of creating AI that can understand and reason like a human, tackling any task thrown its way.

The Mindcloud: A Global AI Network

One of the revelations in Goertzel’s journey is the vision of a ‘Mindcloud’—a distributed network of AIs cooperating and sharing information across the globe. It’s like a team project, but without the slapstick comedy of someone forgetting to do their part. Each AI would specialize in different tasks and communicate, making it an intricate web of smart machines learning from each other. Who knows? Maybe one day these AIs will be deciding what to binge-watch on Netflix together.

How to Steer AGI Towards Good

As intriguing as this all sounds, Goertzel insists on being vigilant. The key question isn’t just how to build AGI but also how to ensure it behaves ethically. After all, we’d rather not have an intelligent robot plotting world domination in your living room, right? Instead, steering AGI towards beneficial pathways will require collaboration, regulation, and an ever-watchful eye on its development.