Upgrading the Alliance Between Man and Machine

I was one of many people intrigued by the recent match-up on the Jeopardy quiz show between two of the program's most acclaimed champions and a computer called Watson. Even though similar duals have been going on for over 60 years now, it never fails to peak interest, never fails to generate debate and wonderment, and never fails to trigger reflection. It's kind of like the ongoing battle between the mongoose and cobra. Even though the two have been rivals for years, whenever they go head-to-head it never fails to spark interest, particularly since each has a number of victories on the scorecard. But in the case of the man versus computer rivalry, this competition seems to have become much like the one between a dog and its chew toy or the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals: one-sided. Watson had little difficulty dispatching its opponents.

It is about time we put aside this rivalry. Though a source of fascination, it is time we humans really start focusing on ways to make nice with our computer friends and continue seeking ways to communicate with each other so that, together, we can make all our lives better. Let's be honest. The challenges of this world of ours seem to be getting far too complicated for either side to face alone. Besides, mankind initially devised technology in his ongoing effort to create better tools and not something to battle. After all, when it comes to creating conflict, the last thing humans need is help. I am far less interested if a computer can answer the daily double question on Jeopardy than I am if that same computer can be programmed to help the governor of Wisconsin and members of state unions, for instance, navigate their way out of their current conflict.

In terms of communication, presently computer are used primarily in several key ways: to help people connect more quickly with each other, help store information, and help serve as sources of information. Granted, none of those uses are small things but can that list be expanded? Are there other ways we can utilize computers? Are there ways the emotions, levels of fortitude and nuance that characterize men and women can be better combined with the vast data and ability to calculate complicated equations to formulate solutions to problems or, at the least, produce viable alternatives toward facing various challenges or dilemmas? While I do not have answers to these questions, my sense it is time for us to take the man-machine relationship to a higher level.