Unknowable Minds: Philosophical Insights on AI and Autonomous Weapons

by Mark Bailey

Overview

Imagine that in the cold heart of a secret military facility, a new form of intelligence awakens. It is a synthetic mind born from intricate algorithms and complex computations, operating in ways unfathomable to its human creators. Charged with safeguarding national security, this intelligence orchestrates strategies that defy human ethics and laws of war, leaving its creators both awed and unnerved.

Unknowable Minds delves into the unsettling reality of entrusting our safety to an intelligence that lacks human essence. As we navigate the Age of Artificial Intelligence, these systems — powering everything from our smartphones to military defenses — remain inherently opaque and unpredictable. The book explores how AI differs from any technology we've ever developed, its inherent complexities, and the profound risks it poses to our future.

Drawing on philosophy, AI theory, and national security insights, this book offers a thought-provoking examination of AI’s potential and peril. From the complexities of neural networks to the unpredictable nature of emergent behaviors, Unknowable Minds challenges us to rethink our relationship with AI and its role in the theater of global security.

Can we control an unknowable intellect, or will it redefine human existence? As we stand on the precipice of unprecedented technological advancement, understanding and navigating the unknowable minds of artificial intelligences become a quest fraught with extraordinary challenges and existential questions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788361286
Publisher:	Imprint Academic (Ips)
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Dr. Mark Bailey writes about the intersection between artificial intelligence, complexity, and national security. He is an Associate Professor at the National Intelligence University, where he is the Department Chair for Cyber Intelligence and Data Science, as well as the Director of the Data Science Intelligence Center. His work has appeared in publications such as the journal Futures, Nautilus, and Homeland Security Today. Previously, he worked as a data scientist on several AI programs in the U.S. Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. He also serves as an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve. In his spare time, he does ceramics, is a beekeeper, and endeavors to turn his yard into a vegetable garden.