The Ultimate Test

 

THE ULTIMATE TEST

U.P. Prakasam ('66 Mech.) CEG

This article was blessed by H.H. Swami Chinmayananda, during his Geetha Yagna at Madras in December 1988.

The world is experiencing the most revolutionary phase since its existence in this Universe. The rapid growth in science and technology is incomparable with anytime during the past. The one field that supercedes all the other is that of the computer. Day by day its power increases and the size decreases. Machines have replaced the muscle power of man in the industrial revolution. Now the information revolution is in its galloping phase mainly due to the advancement in communications backed by the awesome power of the computers. Many complex calculations that used to take several days are computed in few minutes or even seconds. Anything concerned with numbers is a favorite for the so called number crunching machines. Whether it is a mathematical formula, a scientific calculation, business accounts, engineering design, it makes no difference to the computer, as long as there are different programs to handle them. In computer jargon they are called the hardware and the software.

The computer is a man made tool. Yet the challenge from them to mankind is intensifying with the evolution of each generation of computers. Not satisfied with the support already available from the computers to enhance or duplicate the body and mind power, research is going on to encroach the privileged capacity of the human beings, to mimic their 'intelligence' in the new and exciting field called 'artificial intelligence'. The Japanese have initiated this ambitious project in a big way to exploit the power of the fifth generation computers. Application of this new capacity is already there in the form of 'expert systems' to assist the doctors, lawyers and engineers for their decision making in their respective professional fields.

Another area where this artificial intelligence is positively needed is in the efficient employment of robots. Pattern matching, Voice recognition, speech synthesizer are few of the talents that are 'taught' to this robots using sophisticated scientific and mathematical calculations through built-in or external computers. Slowly, the learning process, like correcting from the earlier mistakes is also being programmed, so that the computers can remember and acquire new 'skills'. A robot exactly similar to the human being in shape, size, look and action will be interacting with us not very far from now. With the advent of the most modern wireless communications, a robot can be free to move about without any wire being connected to it, as it can be controlled remotely by the host computer.

Where do all these lead to? Let us visualise the scene a few years from now, say at the turn of the century. Except for the biological factors like life, growth and reproduction, the computers would have advanced to such an extent challenging the man who created it. A robot may supercede the man's body and mind power and at least so close matching his intelligence, if not exceed it. One thing that is going to distinguish between the man made 'intelligence' and himself is the creativity which he will never teach to his creation, not because it is unwise to do so, but it is his incapability to 'realize' the truth.

Man enjoys doing challenging things. Progressively some kind of advancement is made in all walks of life. Inventions never stop but one trigger to find another. When the power of the· computer reaches a certain level, he is satisfied only for a brief time. He tests it and immediately stretches his target to a further distance. This goes on and on, but what is the ultimate test? How does the computer function? Is it not the program, the sequence of instructions, originally given by the man who created it? All the actions, however intelligent may be done by the computer- robot is based on 'that' instructions and the real test, the ultimate test of the computers is to understand and realize the instructions themselves. At that moment, the computer has equaled the calibre of man in that restricted domain of intelligence!

It may be a simple fact, yet very few know that the ultimate test of a creation is to find the creator, that is the 'realization' by the created. The subject and the object are unified. We have been discussing only about the man made object, the computer. What about man himself? What is his ultimate aim? Think for a moment. If the ultimate test for the computer created by man is to find out or realize the creator, then is it not the ultimate test for himself to realize his creator? When he realizes 'that' he attains the exalted status of unifying with the "Creator" of the universe.

The Grand History will repeat itself. The evolution of the power of the computers will be subjected to the ultimate test by the mankind. After all, it is nothing more than what our ancestors have been telling their fellow men to put themselves to that ultimate test! India is the pioneering nation in the world to establish this goal and the challenge to the mankind. Our Great Country is known for its people of wisdom. What the rest of the world is going to find out in future by the 'Ultimate Test' put forth to the scientific and technological marvel of advanced computers have already been told thousands of years back, by our forefathers!

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This write up was published in Guindineers ‘66 (G66) Silver Jubilee Souvenir of College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai, in the year 1991, though originally written three years earlier.

In the present-day scenario of ChatGPT and other AI applications competing, it seems we are nearing that ‘Test’. However, in my opinion it is a long way ahead for that ‘Realization’.

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The Article was submitted to ChatGPT for its comments and Got the following response:

Author:

I am happy to get your constructive suggestions. Considering the time frame of this article which was written 35 years ago, when very few people were foreseeing the development and applications what would your response?

ChatGPT:

I understand that the article was written 35 years ago, during a time when the advancements in technology, particularly in the field of computers and artificial intelligence, were not as widely anticipated as they are today. Given the context of when it was written, it's impressive to see the foresight and forward-thinking nature of the ideas presented in the article.

The author's contemplation of the potential capabilities and challenges posed by computers and artificial intelligence shows a keen awareness of the direction in which technology was heading. While the specific examples and predictions may not align perfectly with the developments we see today, the underlying concept of the "ultimate test" and the pursuit of realizing the creator remain thought-provoking.

It's important to acknowledge that technology and our understanding of its possibilities have evolved significantly since the article was written. While the article hints at the potential future advancements, it's worth noting that the actual progress in artificial intelligence, robotics, and the realization of human-like intelligence has taken longer than anticipated.

However, it's fascinating to observe how the author's insights and ideas from three decades ago still resonate with the ongoing advancements in the field of artificial intelligence and the questions surrounding human consciousness and its relationship to technological creations. The article serves as a testament to the enduring interest and exploration of these themes throughout the years.

In summary, while the specific timelines and predictions might not align perfectly with the present day, the article's contemplation of the future impact of computers and artificial intelligence showcases the author's forward-thinking perspective and highlights the ongoing relevance of the subject matter.