A couple of weeks ago, we saw a video from the 1960s giving us some "real life" descriptions of the state of robotics and artificial intelligence 40 years ago, as well as some predictions for the future -- our present. We now know that not all these predictions were realistic -- and some were actually understated. But either way, you heard the excitement of the scientists from the 1960s talking about what was to come for computers and A.I. -- and you have the advantage of knowing now how realistic those predictions actually were. You've also had (or will shortly have) a couple experiences with more realistic, contemporary robots; there was Judy, and this week we're going into the BMC Robotics lab to see what's down there.
Using these resources, and a bit of the imagination you've shown in your recent papers, we'd like you now to write not about what your fantasy future with robots would be, but what you think really might happen. Imagine the future 40 years from now, in the year 2042. What do you think the state of artificial intelligence, robotics and computers will look like? What are the social consequences that you think might emerge if we continue to develop in the direction and at the speed we currently are doing? Do we need to do anything to slow it down or speed it up? Are there hidden dangers we have to look out for? Why?