We need the Turing test to determine if an AI is a person. But what about Turing tests to determine what is real at all? Is the painting on your wall real or is it a virtual reality conjured up by your Google glass? How do you know if that chair is made from natural materials or made from a blob of nanobots? What tests will we need to determine whether the toaster is the smartest kid in the house and should be in charge of everything?
Did your smart door kill your cat on purpose? Did the bots that make up your mailbox eat the mailman to get more building materials? If they did will you be held responsible? Will your smart car need a certificate from a shrink before you can drive in it?
Does any of this matter? Does it matter if your butler is self-aware? If your toaster belongs to an online community of toasters?
Come and talk to us about a world in which doorknobs can be smarter than people.
IM Vulcan Viper if you have any ideas for new subjects.
http://maps.secondlife.com/
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