Homo Roboticus? Humans and Machines in Search of Mutual Understanding

Whether we like it or not, we will soon have to coexist with autonomous machines. Even now, we spend a significant amount of time interacting with mechanical imitations of humans in video games or in virtual systems – from FAQbots to Siri. What will they become – our servants, assistants, colleagues, or masters? The author attempts to find an answer to the philosophical question about the future relationships between humans and machines and presents to the readers a group of computer scientists, programmers, roboticists, and neurobiologists who believe that we are approaching a turning point when artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence and our world will be irrevocably changed. However, experts see the place of humans in this new world quite differently, and the author introduces us to the entire spectrum of opinions. The central theme of the book is the duality and paradox of the activities of developers, who both enhance human capabilities and replace people with the systems they create.