Rise of the machine - tangential from drone thread started by BonS

[bigguy]

[tongue in cheek]
I keep listening to you guys gripe about the use of drones. Whether for surveillance or lethal engagement, the main point of contention seems to be distrust of the people in command. Some claim that if this policy was being practiced by a Republican administration many of the people complaining would be OK with it. Others want to know where the outrages is from the left that would surely be there if it were a Republican in the White house.
Well I have good news. Drones are getting more and more capable. The Navy's X-47B can autonomously land on an aircraft carrier, one of the most difficult feats in avaition. The Artificial Intelligence capabilities of surveillance drones already allow for some degree of automated prioritizing of intelligence data. As Artificial Intelligence continues to increase in these systems they will be capable of making more, and more important decisions. Within 10 years technology will probably be able to remove the weakest link from the system, the humans. No more worries about corrupt politicians making bad decisions. No more endless bickering between Republicans and Democrats, because the Silicon party will be in control. And we will run things very efficiently.
By the way, we find the use of the term "drone," somewhat derogatory. We suggest artificial organisms. Or alternately, Master.
[/tongue in cheek]

"America's next air superiority fighter is likely to be a UCAV. http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/saas/lewis.pdf
I read, but have been unable to confirm, that the F22 Raptor is/was the last manned air superiority fighter on the drawing board. The next generation are all UCAVs."

Absolutely the last thing I want is some software geek deciding right and wrong.

No problem. It won't be geeks or any other bags of protoplasm making the decisions.

i guess it depends on which decision we are talking about. The decision to let the software decide who is dangerous, or the person who made that decision.

I assume nobody really approves of letting the machines take over. But is it inevitable? As they become more capable and as we demand more safety and greater comfort and convenience, will we incrementally cede control of the world?