If The ‘Paperclip Apocalypse’ Was A Car: COTD

There is an interesting thought experiment out there that involves AI. It’s called the “Paperclip Apocalypse,” and it’s the idea that an AI could accidentally create an apocalypse by trying to perform one task. What does this look like with a modern car?

The paperclip thought experiment was created by philosopher Nick Bostrom in 2003 in an article titled “Ethical Issues In Advance Artificial Intelligence.” The scenario presented involves training an AI to make paperclips. This AI will be given control of paperclip manufacturing facilities and will also be given the capability to learn. Thus, it will be able to make more paperclips more efficiently as it learns.

Things go well at first, but the AI learns how to make paperclips better. In the process of doing so, the AI gobbles up as much of the Earth’s resources as it needs to create more paperclips. Trucks, trains, planes, and ships get diverted to the paperclip effort. Humans get buried under mountains of paperclips and then try to stop the AI, but the AI resists this. Its job is to make paperclips as it was told, and it can’t let anything get in the way. It becomes so laser-focused on making as many paperclips as possible that it could accidentally destroy the planet and humanity. The AI never intended this result; it was just obeying its order to make paperclips.

I’m not a philosopher, and I wasn’t that kind of programmer in my previous life, so I’m not even going to try to explain the accuracy of Bostrom’s experiment. Instead, I want to show you Brian’s article about the Vinfast VF8 that will do anything it takes just to go 4 mph in creep mode. The darned crossover will do burnouts and push heavy dumpsters in an all-out effort just to go 4 mph all by itself. PlugInPA:

This is a hilarious version of the “paperclip apocalypse”, where the VF8 will just sacrifice all other priorities to make sure it’s going 4 mph.

I assume this can be stopped by simply hitting the brakes?

DialMforMiata:

If you hit the brakes the car will determine that you are interfering with the 4mph Directive and will attempt to incinerate you with the heated seats.

Beasy Mist:

Every time I read about this company I feel like I’m being punked. These products can’t really exist, right?

Goblin:

I have to say it – I love these guys more and more every time I read about them.

That they managed to sell any cars at all on the US market, then be still here a few years later is absolutely amazing in my book.

That they integrate a idle drift mode is even more amazing. Kudos to them.

Icouldntfindaclevername:

I’m all for a Creep mode towing a 747 commercial.

Have a great evening, everyone!