About Rod D. Martin
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by Nicholas Stehle
May 20, 2015
Concerns about out-of-control Artificial Intelligence (AI) are nothing new in the minds of those who read RodMartin.org. We shared thoughts on “Why There Will be a Robot Uprising“, and the ethical dilemmas presented by the creation of automated killer robots are numerous. The idea that humanity might not be at the top of the food chain forever is more than a little disquieting.
It might seem far-fetched to you, but two of the world’s greatest minds, Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking, have their concerns: AI, if left unchecked, poses a threat to humanity. That’s the message of a letter penned by the two, along with dozens of other scientists and technologists in a letter earlier this year.
More recently Stephen Hawking warned that computers will overtake human intelligence within the next 100 years:
Speaking at the Zeitgeist 2015 conference in London, the internationally renowned cosmologist and Cambridge University professor, said: “Computers will overtake humans with AI at some within the next 100 years. When that happens, we need to make sure the computers have goals aligned with ours.”
Elon Musk (of PayPal, SpaceX, Tesla, and Solar City fame) agrees:
“I’m really worried about this,” Musk is quoted as saying in Elon Musk, a new authorized biography of the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.
“This,” according to the book, refers to the possibility that Page would develop artificially-intelligent robots that could turn evil and have the ability to annihilate the human race.
Musk goes on to question the endgame of the work of his friend, Google founder Larry Page.
Page may be well-meaning, but as Musk says, “He could produce something evil by accident.”
Musk sees potential trouble in the very near future, perhaps even the next decade:
A few months after that, Musk told an interviewer that he believes “something seriously dangerous” may come about from AI in the next 5-10 years. “Please note that I am normally super pro technology and have never raised this issue until recent months. This is not a case of crying wolf about something I don’t understand.”
Hawking’s solution is simple enough: don’t let machines turn into cylons.
Hawking believes that scientists and technologists need to safely and carefully coordinate and communicate advancements in AI to ensure it does not grow beyond humanity’s control.
That would be helpful, and nothing that Isaac Asimov didn’t carefully think through for us more than half a century ago. The last thing we need is to find ourselves under attack by our own kitchen appliances.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
The future of technology is the future of America. Rod Martin sees that future clearly, and also sees how to shape it for the betterment of all. He is firmly rooted in the traditions of faith and patriotism that have made America great. That’s why he has made, and will make, so many outstanding contributions in so many areas.
