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. Already, we spend a significant part of our time interacting with mechanical likenesses of humans in video games or virtual systems – from FAQbots to Siri. What will they become – our servants, assistants, colleagues, or masters? The author tries to find an answer to the philosophical question about the future relationships between humans and machines and introduces us to a group of computer scientists, programmers, robotic engineers, 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 role of humans in this new world differently, and the author introduces us to the entire spectrum of opinions. The central theme of the book is the duality and paradoxical nature inherent in the activities of developers, who both expand human capabilities and replace humans with the systems they create.