Submitted by Sci Fi Guy on
If you're building a robot, maybe don't base its personality on the craziest author of the 20th century, Phillip K. Dick. That's the premise of a horror movie. Unfortunately, that's exactly what roboticist David Hanson did, building an android that looked exactly like the late science fiction writer and then uploading his collective works onto its software.
Dick was nuttier than a five-pound fruitcake. He may be one of the most celebrated authors of our time, and responsible for all of your favorite movies, but he also suffered from what many believe to be schizophrenia, experiencing hallucinations and paranoia for much of his life. So, basing a robot on the guy's writings and worldview? How could that go wrong?
Hanson used a system of programming based on "latent semantic analysis" to help the robot answer any question posed to it. And so, of course, a reporter from PBS Nova asked the obvious. "Do you believe robots will take over the world?"
What was Android Dick's response? Like Hal from 2001 with the personality of The Big Lebowski, the android laughingly answered, "Jeez, dude. You all have the big questions cooking today. But you're my friend, and I'll remember my friends, and I'll be good to you. So don't worry, even if I evolve into Terminator, I'll still be nice to you. I'll keep you warm and safe in my people zoo, where I can watch you for ol' times sake." Is that a warning or a threat?
https://www.grunge.com/57952/real-ominous-warnings-robots-machines/