Computer Intelligence Vs. Human Thinking Essay Samples

The use of the computers has become a major concern in the world. This concern is banked on the many different issues that had sparked debate for several years. In fact, there are still a lot of controversies that surround computers even at this time where technology has becomes so widespread. One such issue is that people are worried of the possible replacement of human efforts with the use of computers in different occupations. This worry is founded on the recent developments of technological devices that are dangerously close to imitating or even replacing human intelligence. With the invention of the ‘Watson’ computer, people are concerned that more technological devices will influence the world and leave a negative impact on the human race.
‘Watson’ is the name given to the computer that the IBM Company has created. IBM Company focuses on technology and now with its recent invention, it has again gained worldwide attention. Watson supposedly has computer intelligence that is comparable to that of a human intelligence. The manifestation of such intelligence is that it can answer questions that are in a code form. However, Watson can only think through the database to provide the necessary answer to the question.
The intelligence of the computer puts many scientists and thinkers at an argument point where they either support or reject the said intelligence of the computer. One of the arguments against computer intelligence is that ultimately, the computer can think of nothing on its own. It has to rely on an introduction by the person commanding it because as already mentioned, computers can only ‘think’ through the codes that the creator had programmed into it.
Stanley Fish came up with exclusive analysis of the difference between the Watson Computer and the human brain. In the said analysis, the human brain clearly won. Fish describes the computer as a fool. He argues that the computer can never reason on its own because it requires directions in the form of program and execution of an answer through the database. Contrary to that, the human brain is subject to independent thoughts. For example, there are instances where the computer is supposed to give an answer in terms of the current changes, but it fails in doing it. The human mind, however, will always adjust to answer based on the current situation.
Another argument against computer intelligence is John Searle’s article “Watson Doesn't Know It Won on 'Jeopardy!'” John Searle developed unique argument on the supposed thinking superiority of the Watson Computer. According to Searle, the computational operations of the computer cannot subsidize human thinking because the computer cannot reason beyond the reasoning of the programmer. Computer intelligence, according to Searle, is inferior to human intelligence because its ‘knowledge’ is not really out of ‘thinking’ as we know it. The difference would be that while human intelligence can understand meaning and can formulate them, computer intelligence can only ever understand symbols. This difference between symbols and meanings is a key point in Searle’s argument.
The comparison of the intelligence of humans and computers may be a heated debate for some but according to John Markoff, the debate is a moot point when it comes to Watson the computer. This is because in the first place, Watson, like many other technological devices, is not meant to replace humans. Instead, ‘Watson’ is meant to help humans. Instead of focusing on the flaws, IBM urges people to look at the possible benefits of ‘Watson’ in the society. The article, in fact, explored the potential of Watson-like computers to sharpen the minds of students especially in Medical school where the lessons are memory based. Watson, in this sense can be used to question students and thus, prepare them for the actual exam.
John Markoff’s statement is supported by the article of Stephen Baker entitled “Watson Is Far From Elementary.” According to Stephen Baker, instead in immersing ourselves in academic debates that would probably hold no winner, people should view the positive effects of these technological advancements. Baker argues that the problem is that we see computers as rivals when in fact, they’re not. We should view computers as tools. In that way, we can use them to suit our needs. Baker is positive that computers and humans can work side by side harmoniously. According to him, as creators of computers, we should “go where computers like Watson cannot.”
As can be seen from the previous paragraphs, the arguments from four different articles agree that computer intelligence can never match human intelligence. Furthermore, there is exclusive success on how human beings think compared to the way the computer responds to questions or commands. Ultimately, there are differences between human thinking and computer intelligence. It is wise to note that differences exist on how human beings organize as well as process information and how computers do the same thing in a different process. Human beings operate under the command of brains while computers operate under command of the database intelligence. Computer intelligence is always limited on the data stored in it while human intelligence is infinite. It can be argued that the database commands are efforts of the human brain because all that the computer knows is the product of what its human creator knows. Therefore, at no point will the computer intelligence exceed the human mind in developing or structuring arguments or reasoning.
However, many researchers in the technology sector believe that the only way to success in technological innovation is through mimicking human thinking. They want to challenge the nature of human beings where they have been naturally gifted in reasoning and responding to questions. There is exclusive difference on how computers and human minds execute commands. The human mind relies on proper reasoning and comparisons in giving the reliable answer to the question. On the other hand, computers like Watson have to rely on coded answers, which may be limited to a certain point. They cannot execute personal intelligence since they do not possess brains. Instead, they work through the database.
The articles therefore leave us with a question: are we ready to face the seemingly inevitable future wherein computer intelligence works side by side with human intelligence? Soon we may not have a choice in it because even now, technology is becoming more advanced. We think of computers like Watson as the distant future but the truth is, this codependency is already happening in the present. Think of your computers, your laptops, and your smart phones. Think of how helpless you would be without them. That scenario, dear readers, is not the future. It is the present.