DARPA & the Strategic Computing Initiative

[endfire79]

Interesting read

From 1983 to 1993 DARPA spent over $1 billion on a program called the Strategic Computing Initiative. The agency's goal was to push the boundaries of computers, artificial intelligence, and robotics to build something that, in hindsight, looks strikingly similar to the dystopian future of the Terminator movies. They wanted to build Skynet.

Much like Ronald Reagan's Star Wars program, the idea behind Strategic Computing proved too futuristic for its time. But with the stunning advancements we're witnessing today in military AI and autonomous robots, it's worth revisiting this nearly forgotten program, and asking ourselves if we're ready for a world of hyperconnected killing machines. And perhaps a more futile question: Even if we wanted to stop it, is it too late?


http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/darpa-tried-to-build-skynet-in-the-1980s-1451000652

[LongBlade]

Hook that puppy up to the NSA's vacuum of all cellphones and internet posts and you'd have a proper mix of thought police.

Totally awesome! :/

[Centurion40]

IMHO, any machine that is designed to kill must have a human pilot/operator.

[bayonetbrant]

IMHO, any machine that is designed to kill must have a human pilot/operator.

Even then, you occasionally end up with the USS Vincennes

[eyebiter]

.

[LongBlade]

IMHO, any machine that is designed to kill must have a human pilot/operator.

Even then, you occasionally end up with the USS Vincennes

Yeah, but I'll risk human error over syntax error any day of the week.

Humans at least (should) have that streak of conscience that questions whether they're really doing the right thing. Robots have no such burden.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Hook that puppy up to the NSA's vacuum of all cellphones and internet posts and you'd have a proper mix of thought police.

Totally awesome! :/

All you need is [the Ministry of] Love.

[Staggerwing]

^Minilove!

[Kushan]

So the Terminator movies where right, the government really was trying to create SkyNet.

[LongBlade]

So the Terminator movies where right, the government really was trying to create SkyNet.

I drove past their building the other day and had to do a double-take: http://www.chicagocctv.com/

[Martok]

So the Terminator movies where right, the government really was trying to create SkyNet.

I drove past their building the other day and had to do a double-take: http://www.chicagocctv.com/

You'd think that by now, someone would've informed them of how supremely ironic their slogan is:  "Affordable Peace of Mind".  :o 

Clearly, either these folks never watched any of the Terminator movies, or -- if they did -- they took the wrong lesson from it. 

[Staggerwing]

I'm just surprised there are no IP issues with scoffing up a name for you company that some big studios hold the rights to.

[LongBlade]

I'm just surprised there are no IP issues with scoffing up a name for you company that some big studios hold the rights to.

You should see their building. Big three foot letters on the side.

[Staggerwing]

Were there H/K units roaming around inside? The odd Tee-Triple-Eight or 2?

[LongBlade]

Were there H/K units roaming around inside? The odd Tee-Triple-Eight or 2?

I didn't get inside, but clearly they're growing. The building I passed was bigger.