Like most things in life, with every “pro” of technology, there is a “con,” and with every benefit, a risk or cost, even if it is not obvious. One of them infrequently discussed is the ability to perfect torture. There has been discussion though of an AI that overpowers humanity, causing all of humanity to live in an eternal hell, and while that is possible, it is indisputable that a person or government for example, could inflict eternal suffering on a captive person(s). This will discuss a few variations, potentially in phases, for perfecting such torture as technology “progresses” over time.
1. Precision Torture
Simply have an AI train on a person’s emotional response to some stimuli, and with “reinforcement training” the machine can develop the ability to generate instant, non-stop pain for its victim. Such a feedback loop can give real-time data to a machine that amplifies whatever pain works best on its victims. To date, a few studies state that brain activity in the orbitofrontal cortex and insular cortex are connected to pain perception. In other words, reading brainwaves will allow users to perfect the fears and pains that are most “motivating” to a victim.
2. Simulated Pain
The next logical step in inflicting pain on a victim would be to have less mess and less work, simply causing imagined pain by activating pain neurons/networks/regions in the brain. Perhaps bypassing step 1 above is feasible. Such direct stimulation would make cause maximum pain with minimal effort, again, using instant biofeedback that is interpreted by AI. The reading of brain activity via electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) continues to improve with time, and as it does, so will the ability to cause more precise harm to those who wield its power in a harmful way.
A less direct route to inflicting pain on a victim would be to create a “perfect simulation in the mind indistinguishable from reality,” or in other words, “The Matrix,” but that approach seems more complex than the direct neuron stimulation approach. Whether government or rogue individuals, the potential to cause unimaginable suffering is real.
3. Direct Thought Extraction
Simply gaining intel, or knowledge, from a target may be the actual goal of most torture, so perhaps simply to read their brain waves. In this scenario, torture is not needed. This is probably seen as the “nicest” form of torture since no pain is needed. Yet, theft of one’s thoughts may be the greatest form of a dystopian future that can be imagined. With the ability to steal thoughts, the safety to think, and freedom to choose would be eliminated. We would become products of society or whoever held technological power over us.
This does negate a large swatch of population that would still want to inflict pain on its targets to gain control, revenge, or some other selfish motive. Methods 1 and 2 still seem just as likely even if direct thought extraction becomes feasible, but it can get worse…
3. Perfect, Eternal Torture & Suffering
The worst part of all this is that “anti-aging tech” if it arrives as many currently believe, will allow a person to inflict maximum pain on someone else indefinitely while ensuring the person never dies. The idea of Hell may soon become a real possibility right here on earth, applied to whomever is an unfortunate target of war/crime.
As mentioned previously, some have worried that such “perfected torture” could be carried out by an out-of-control AI that has trapped all of humanity, which is possible, but I am more concerned about the undebatable historical reality of people doing similar things to other people on a realistic level. Is there any question at all that some people, or governments, will do this to others given the chance? There is no theory here only truth.
Question: Is Technology Worth it for the Masses if Even One Person is Subject to Perfect, Eternal Torture?
Some might say yes, but what if it is ten people? or 1,000 people? or 1,000,000’s? Drawing lines is one of the most difficult tasks for people in my experience. It is why so many small problems grow into unstoppable, monumental ones. I do not think a single life is worth it. Is the answer clearer if the person being tortured was your own? Now empathy brings on new meaning. The ability to perfect torture begs the question of perfecting technology to the point that it can measure and inflict pain on a person.
Of course, the idea of “ending technology” as does not work because someone else will continue to develop it, so defense against others is necessary. Likewise, on the extreme end of techno-anarchy, it proposes that the only way to survive is to smash every last bit of technology, essentially returning to life as foragers, since any attempt to preserve technology would inevitably progress back to “advanced AI.” If we must have advanced technology to protect ourselves from evil, then might it be possible that complete accountability of populations will occur, self-governing of course? That seems like asking if we can get rid of all crime. Probably not.
The need for intervention from a higher power suddenly seems to make sense in the face of the coming ability to generate perfect, eternal, torture by other people.
HumanIT 