Value-based science

Many of Mochtar Buchori's articles provoke thought -- they are even introspective at times. His scholarly "Insight" into Garry Kasparov's defeat to supercomputer Deep Blue (May 17, 1997) is no exception.

I do share the concern of Mochtar Buchori that computers might ultimately control human beings. However, I don't think we have to worry about this remote possibility, because electronic devices -- even the machine that defeated a chess wizard -- were all programed by humans.

Kasparov lost not because he possessed less intelligence than the computer, it's just that Deep Blue could compute in an incredibly faster way -- 200 million moves per second. Furthermore, Kasparov must have been stressed out whereas the machine knew no mental fatigue. Well, metal fatigue was possible.

So, it's not really the computer that defeated Kasparov, but the man who designed the essential software. The credit, if any, should justifiably go to the superior power of human intelligence. By the same token, man's worst enemy might also emanate from his own species.

Man needs liberation, not shackles. Basically, computers which we use in everyday life should serve this purpose. But what we see in our midst today is that we have become slaves to computer programs. Instead of being supportive, computer programs sometimes become restrictive and put hurdles in day-to-day company operations. We can't do certain things because the computer says so. The day may not be far off when a computer could tell us, "I hereby resign as your computer, so that I may seek opportunities with another human!"

Kasparov's defeat underscores the original fear people felt some years ago that computers would one day think like humans. But the real tragedy will be when people start thinking like computers and acting like robots.

Before we fully empower the computer with artificial intelligence, man must seek the ultimate power within himself. There is a higher self in each one of us and our aim should be to discover and access these innate strengths to utilize the same for bringing prosperity and happiness to all. The offshoot will result in more prospects for value-based science and technology that can benefit all of mankind.

D. CHANDRAMOULI

Jakarta