The public’s fears and anxieties surrounding AI technology are largely misguided, according to theoretical physicist Michio Kaku. In an interview with CNN, Kaku emphasized the potential benefits and productivity that chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT can bring to society. He dismissed the notion that these chatbots are capable of true creation, referring to them as “glorified tape recorders” that compile snippets of information from the web.
Kaku outlined the stages of computer evolution, with the analog stage being the use of physical tools like sticks, stones, levers, and gears. The second stage began with the advent of electricity-powered transistors, leading to the development of microchips and the digital landscape we know today. However, this digital landscape relies on binary notation composed of zeros and ones, while nature operates on electron waves and molecules.
Kaku believes that the next stage of technological advancement will be in the realm of quantum computing. Quantum computing utilizes the different states of particles, such as electrons, to exponentially increase processing power. Tech giants like IBM, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are already developing their own quantum computers and granting access to companies through the cloud.
The potential applications of quantum computing are extensive. In addition to business applications like risk analysis, supply chain logistics, and machine learning, Kaku highlighted the potential for advancements in healthcare. Diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s operate at the molecular level, and understanding the language of nature at that level requires the computing power and capabilities provided by quantum computing.
Overall, Kaku emphasizes the need to focus on the positive benefits and potential of AI technology and quantum computing rather than succumbing to fears and anxieties. Properly harnessed, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize various industries and contribute to the advancement of society as a whole.