Will Computers Ever Replace Humans?

[Doomsday2007]

NOW THAT THE DEBATE IS CLOSED...

Please consider which side you will vote for in the post-debate Poll :)

"Will Computers Ever Replace Humans?"

Choices "Yes", "No", or "Undecided"

Debate will begin once a decent amount of votes are cast.

Participants (MFR & myself) will not vote.

[Doomsday2007]

It is indisputable that computers have improved human existence on many levels (in science, health, infrastructure, etc.). Computers have replaced man’s work in many areas of life (manufacturing, complex computing, grocery store or toll booth check out), and continue to do so at an alarming rate.

The question before you is, “Will Computers Ever Replace Humans?” I am not contending that computers will replace humans a la The Matrix or Surrogates. What I am suggesting is that in the future computers will have replaced mankind’s need for physical or mental labor with cheap and abundant entertainment (see Wall-E or Idiocracy). Computers have served markets and businesses by replacing many cheap, repetitious jobs; before long humans will only be needed for rudimentary supervision.

It is also important to note that it is not unreasonable to believe that in the not too distant future computers will be designing other computers (physical components, software) that will prove far more sophisticated and efficient than manmade capabilities. Aside from human devolution is what happens if the theoretical/sci-fi phenomenon of, self-realization among computers takes place, (a la Terminator), then we would really be replaced.

Many of the advances would not have occurred without computers. Life would be unsustainable at the current Western levels without them, and most of us would certainly not want to live in a world without their technological benefits. As technological resources become more inexpensive and scientific knowledge expands, computers will be able to replace humans on an ever-expanding scope and rate.

[MonStaR]

This is a tough topic for me because i can go either way on the subject, But for the debate i chose against computers and here's why. I do believe Doomsday in that Computer has reshaped our way of doing our everyday tasks and making our lives easier. I also Believe that it will be far to long before the so called "Computers Will Take Over"

Computers (Robots) have been in the Manufacturing processes of Companies for quite some time now. However, You still need Human Intervention to Program Said Code and Make sure everything is working right (Maintainence). It also is accountable for putting people out of jobs and putting a strain on our economy for the Lost Tradesman (Unemployment and Cost of Machines) So, I'm not sure that the people are going to want a so-called Computer replacing them at their job.

As for Living without the Technology, I believe everyone can do it, We have for hundreds of centuries, We have just gotten lazy and companies have thrived off profits from making things (automated) that the real question is: Why would we wanna go back??

Im not sure how many words that is but im stopping for now :)

[Doomsday2007]

I agree with your opening statement... but remember the question we're consider is "Will Computers Ever Replace Humans" (emphasis added). We're definitely moving toward a world more dominated by advanced technology and more inter-dependencies between mankind and computers. The question is not IF, but WHEN the transition crosses a certain line and enough people believe we are effectively "replaced".

And as I mentioned in the first post, we are essentially replaced when manual and mental labor is significantly replaced by computers. That time IS coming.

Eventually you won't need people to write code or monitor complex factories except for rudimentary chores and oversight. That too could possibly be replaced eventually. Would you concede that if computers were able to replace 80-85% of physical and management jobs that humans were essentially replaced by computers? Or only if 100% of tasks were replaced?

[MonStaR]

Well, I believe that Robots/Computers Will never take over 100%. Also, There are just to many Variables to come into play with a 70%-80% Takeover. Your still going to need the humans around to make sure everything is up to snuff.

However, I do agree with you on the part that they are taking over in the job fields that are repetitive and tedious. But not everything can be made so that a Robot/Computer can take it over. For example: You cant get a robot to weld a Moment Connection on an I-beam 40 story's up in the air ;)

There is still going to be some sort of Human Interaction with Jobs. (Truck Drivers,Carpenters,Electricians,Welders...etc) So as far as this Debate goes I think its too early to tell where or what the computers will be doing in the next 10-20 years.

However, I do believe we will be seeing more of them and are going to be heavily reliant on them. If i had a percentage to give on how many computers have taken over in the job fields in the next 10-20 years id say 25%. But, That's just pure speculation.

[Doomsday2007]

(CLOSING STATEMENT)

I agree this is a difficult topic to debate considering there's so many unknowns. However, the question to consider isn't "Will Computers Replace Humans in 25 Years?" but rather "Will Computer EVER Replace Humans" (emphasis added).

In 1,000 years. 10,000 years? What will our relationship to technology look like? (Assuming humankind is still around, that is). If computers have taken so many human capabilities out of our hands (jobs, convenience, etc.), what will the situation look like down the road... indefinitely as long as humans exist? If computers continue on the path they've had in our lives up until this point, it won't take 10,000 years for us to be virtually (99.99% replaced) by them.

Great debate MFR! After your closing, we will create a new poll for another vote to see if anyone has changed their opinion or weren't able to vote the first time around!

[MonStaR]

(Closing Statement)

This was a tough debate!!:smile2:, However I still think there will not be a day that the computer will replace humans (As of right now). I cant speculate on what will happen in a 1000 years from now. But for the time being, If it was possible and we had the technology currently IMO, I don't think people would let it happen.. Between Job Loss and economic shutdown, There would be nothing left for humans to do.

So in a sense, We would give ourselves the power to wipe our own race off this earth :laugh:

Thanks for the Great Debate :) Look forward to the next one

[jamsiemac]

To be honest that is one statement that cant be treated generally because we by nature are so complicated.
My answer is no in a general sence but yes in labour intensive duties because as well as being complicated in nature we are also lazy by nature.

[lawlsauce]

Ever? No way. Humans will always be there no matter what happens. Unless the world ends obviously.

[malvavisko]

Same as lawl, I believe that as long as humans are around, machines/computers will never replace them.
And If they wanted to do it, they just would have to wait until we destroy ourselves...of course, then probably we would leave them nothing.
They can always try another planet, tough...they would do better there :laugh:

[lawlsauce]

Same as lawl, I believe that as long as humans are around, machines/computers will never replace them.
And If they wanted to do it, they just would have to wait until we destroy ourselves...of course, then probably we would leave them nothing.
They can always try another planet, tough...they would do better there :laugh:

Haha yeah. It'll probably be a Terminator like environment.

[masterplay]

I do not believe that computers will replace humans, Human beings possess qualities and emotions that I don't believe can be programmed into a computer. Robots will never replace humans, but they will become very important in making us more efficient, by performing redundant tasks that require no creativity in a speedier, more accurate, way than human beings can. They will never totally replace us because they don't have the ability to make decisions that go beyond the scope of thier programming. If a human being faces a problems he or she has never encountered before they can rely on thier past experiences, personal opinions, and creativity to find an acceptble solution to the problem. I don't believe that robots will ever possess the ability to do those things.

[hellenic]

No machines will never take over. You humans wont allow us (machines) to take over the world :P

[LightOnTheLedge]

.... As technological resources become more inexpensive and scientific knowledge expands, computers will be able to replace humans on an ever-expanding scope and rate.


Agreed. All will depend on which version of the Turing Test is passed...

"The Long Bet Project is a wager of $20,000 between Mitch Kapor (pessimist) and Kurzweil (optimist) about whether a computer will pass a Turing Test by the year 2029. The bet specifies the conditions in some detail" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test#Predictions)

I hope I am around to see this.

[time2tech]

Does the automation of manufacture processes necessitate some sort of self-aware network capable for any kind of "uprising"?

[archangel]

No, computers dont have soul and never will replace the heart of humans