4 ms·

The technology isn't a fundamental change, it's just a more deadly weapon.

• mrob 8y ago
  It's not more deadly. Weapons of mass destruction already exist. The difference isn't increased ability to do harm, it's increased ability to target harm. It's no fun being dictator when all your subjects are dead, so old-fashioned WMDs are of limited use. Sufficiently advanced AI lets you selectively kill the troublemakers without harming the compliant subjects, and without having to rely on potential competitors for your dictator position. This is a fundamental change.
  • speedplane 8y ago
    Not a fundamental change. There are plenty of tools for selectively targeting individuals (e.g., guided munitions, watch lists, teams of agents that monitor your every move). It could potentially reduce the resources required for such selective targeting, but if past dictatorships are any indication, these resources are not the limiting factor.
    • mrob 8y ago
      "Who watches the watchmen?" The traditional method relies on a vast network of humans, any one of whom could betray you. Acceptance of bribes is common in dictatorships, and if your control system is powerful enough to suppress troublemakers it's also powerful enough to replace you. AI can avoid this dependence on humans.