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Scientists Fear a Revolt By Killer Robots
Aug 13th, 2009
Daily Newstechnology.timesonline.co.uk
Categories: Today's Headlines;Warning

A robot that makes a morning cuppa, a fridge that orders the weekly shop, a car that parks itself. 

Advances in artificial intelligence promise many benefits, but scientists are privately so worried they may be creating machines which end up outsmarting — and perhaps even endangering — humans that they held a secret meeting to discuss limiting their research. 

At the conference, held behind closed doors in Monterey Bay, California, leading researchers warned that mankind might lose control over computer-based systems that carry out a growing share of society’s workload, from waging war to chatting on the phone, and have already reached a level of indestructibility comparable with a cockroach. 

“These are powerful technologies that could be used in good ways or scary ways,” warned Eric Horvitz, principal researcher at Microsoft who organised the conference on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. 

According to Alan Winfield, a professor at the University of the West of England, scientists are spending too much time developing artificial intelligence and too little on robot safety. 

“We’re rapidly approaching the time when new robots should undergo tests, similar to ethical and clinical trials for new drugs, before they can be introduced,” he said. 

The scientists who presented their findings at the International Joint Conference for Artificial Intelligence in Pasadena, California, last month fear that nightmare scenarios, which have until now been limited to science fiction films, such as the Terminator series, The Matrix, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Minority Report, could come true. 

Robotic unmanned predator drones, for example, which can seek out and kill human targets, have already moved out of the movie theatres and into the theatre of war in Afghanistan and Iraq. While at present controlled by human operators, they are moving towards more autonomous control. 

They could also soon be found on the streets. Samsung, the South Korean electronics company, has developed autonomous sentry robots to serve as armed border guards. They have “shoot-to-kill” capability. 

Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at Sheffield University, warned that such robots could soon be used for policing, for example during riots such as those seen in London at the recent G20 summit. “Is this a good thing?” he asked. 

Scientists are particularly worried about the way the latest, highly sophisticated artificially intelligent products perform human-like functions. 

Japanese consumers can already buy robots that “learn” their owner’s behaviour, can open the front door and even find electrical outlets and recharge themselves so they never stop working. 

One high-tech US firm is working on robotic nurses, dubbed “nursebots”, that interact with patients to simulate empathy. Critics told the conference that, at best, this could be dehumanising; at worst, something could go wrong with the programming. 

The scientists dismissed as fanciful fears about “singularity” — the term used to describe the point where robots have become so intelligent they are able to build ever more capable versions of themselves without further input from mankind. 

The conference was nevertheless told that new artificial intelligence viruses are helping criminals to steal people’s identities. Criminals are working on viruses that are planted in mobile phones and “copy” users’ voices. After stealing the voice, criminals can masquerade as a victim on the phone or circumvent speech recognition security systems. 

Another kind of smartphone virus silently monitors text messages, e-mail, voice, diary and bank details. The virus then uses the information to impersonate people online, with little or no external guidance from the thieves. The researchers warned that many of the new viruses defy extermination, reaching what one speaker called “the cockroach stage”. 

Some speakers called for researchers to adopt the “three laws” of robotics created by Isaac Asimov, the science fiction author, that are designed to protect humanity from machines with their own agenda. Each robot, Asimov said, must be programmed never to kill or injure a human or, through inaction, allow a human to suffer. A robot must obey human orders, unless this contravenes the first law. A robot must protect itself, unless it contravenes either of the first two laws. 

While many scientists fear artificial intelligence could run amok, some argue that ultrasmart machines will instead offer huge advances in life extension and wealth creation. 

Some pointed out that artificial intelligence was already helping us in complex, sometimes life-and-death situations. Poseidon Technologies, the French firm, sells artificial intelligence systems that help lifeguards identify when a person is drowning in a swimming pool. Microsoft’s Clearflow system helps drivers to pick the best route by analysing traffic behaviour; and artificial intelligence systems are making cars safer, reducing road accidents.

Official: New Hizbullah Arms May Alter Balance
Aug 13th, 2009
Daily NewsJpost.com
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Warning

Increasing tensions between Israel and Hizbullah are the result of growing concern that Syria will transfer "balance-altering" weaponry to the Iranian-backed group in the event of a new conflict with Israel, a top defense official has told The Jerusalem Post. 

"Our assumption is that whatever Iran and Syria have, Hizbullah could one day also have," the official said this week. 

The impact on IDF operations is that surveillance planes fly at higher altitudes out of fear that Hizbullah has obtained advanced air defense systems, and navy ships patrol further from the coast out of fear that the group has obtained advanced anti-ship missiles. 

The navy also recently tested an upgraded version of the Barak missile defense system - which can intercept anti-ship missiles - amid concern that Hizbullah may soon receive an advanced anti-ship missile system. 

Earlier this week, an Italian newspaper revealed that an Iranian plane crash last month had been caused by the explosion of sophisticated explosive fuses that were on their way to Hizbullah. 

According to Globalsecurity.org, Damascus is known to have a significant arsenal of Scud ballistic missiles that are capable of hitting targets with fair accuracy throughout Israel. Syria also has advanced anti-aircraft systems, according to the Web site. 

"A truck carrying a launcher and a missile can leave Damascus and arrive in the Bekaa Valley Hizbullah stronghold in just a few hours," the official said. 

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Barak warned in the Knesset that Israel would consider military action if Hizbullah altered the military balance with Israel. 

"We have relayed messages to different authorities, and if the balance is altered, we will consider our next steps," he said. 

Officials said that Barak's remarks had been made because of worries that Iran and Syria were considering transferring advanced military equipment to Hizbullah in Lebanon. Earlier this year, he issued a similar threat to Syria and Lebanon after Israel grew concerned that Damascus was planning to transfer advanced technology to Hizbullah. 

Barak said Thursday that if another war erupted along the northern border, the IDF would have more operational freedom to target Lebanese infrastructure than it had three years ago. 

During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Barak said, there was tacit agreement with the United States to avoid targeting state infrastructure such as roads, power stations, airports and other state institutions.

China's military, the world's largest, prepares for long range war
Aug 13th, 2009
News UpdateJimmy DeYoung
Categories: Jimmy DeYoung News

China's military held war games recently aimed at deploying forces at long distances, and exercise that sent some 50,000 armored troops, the People's Liberation Army, the world's largest standing military force to distant locations to see if this military force can perform at the level needed to keep China secure.

The People's Liberation Army, 2.5 million soldiers, has undergone a rapid upgrade in recent years in both equipment and doctrine and with annual double digit increases in military spending to provide cutting edge fighter jets, nuclear submarines, and hundreds of ballistic missiles.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

China's ever expanding economy and military buildup is a precursor to the end time scenario that can be found in Bible prophecy for the last days.

During these times of global economic crisis the nation of China has not only held its own economically but it has even grown faster than any superpower nation of the world. At the same time of economic prosperity, the Chinese military has been on a program to upgrade all of its forces and equipment to a cutting edge state of the art level needed for the security of the world's largest nation. With the world's largest military force, 2.5 million troops, the Chinese military may well be the top fighting force in the world today.

This report is an indication of the fact that China is ready to fulfill the 6th vial judgment found in Revelation 16:12. That judgment will be the kings of the east which will include China, the kings of the east making their way to Jerusalem to join the other armies of the world (Zechariah 14:2) under the leadership of Antichrist, Satan, and the False Prophet as they will try to destroy Israel and stop the Messiah Jesus Christ from coming back to Earth. China's military will lend its activities to all the world's military conflicts as foretold in Revelation with a proliferation of wars and rumors of wars that Jesus said would proceed His coming (Matthew 24:6-7).

China's latest military exercises are indeed setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

'anti - Israel' Adviser Top Pick for Ambassador to Syria?
Aug 13th, 2009
Daily NewsWND - Aaron Klein
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;Anti-Israel

Long considered one of Jewish state's greatest foes in Washington

JAFFA, Israel – Daniel Kurtzer, President Obama's Mideast adviser, is the lead candidate to serve as U.S. ambassador to Syria, a senior Egyptian security official told WND.

Kurtzer, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, long has been seen in Jerusalem as one of the Jewish state's greatest foes in Washington. He has been identified by Jewish and Israeli leaders, including prime ministers speaking on the record, as biased against Israel and is notorious for urging extreme concessions from the Jewish state.

In a surprise move, the White House in June announced it decided to send a U.S. ambassador back to Syria, a dramatic sign of reconciliation between the two countries. The U.S. withdrew the American ambassador to Syria in 2005 after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria was widely blamed in the murder.

Syria, in a military alliance with Iran, also is accused of supporting the insurgency against U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Syria openly supports Palestinian terrorism, and hosts the leaders of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist groups.

According to a source with close ties to the State Department, the Obama White House recently transferred responsibility of U.S.-Syrian policy from State to the White House.

The White House did not immediately respond to a query about whether Kurtzer was being considered for the position.

'Foe of Israel'

Kurtzer came under fire last summer when he traveled to Damascus where he reportedly urged Syrian officials to fast-track negotiations with Israel aiming at an Israeli withdrawal from the strategic Golan Heights. Kurtzer at the time stressed he was not in Damascus as part of Obama's campaign but instead was visiting as a private expert attending an international lawyers conference.

The Golan looks down on Israeli population centers and twice was by Syria to mount ground invasions into the Jewish state.

Kurtzer has been blasted by mainstream Jewish organizations, including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which usually restrains itself when commenting on U.S. officials.

"We oppose the appointment of Kurtzer because of his long, documented record of hostility to and severe pressure upon Israel," said Zionist Organization of America National Chairman Morton Klein.

He has angered Israeli leaders many times for pushing Israel into what they described as extreme concessions to the Palestinians.

"With Jews like Kurtzer, it is impossible to build a healthy relationship between Israel and the United States," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nentanyahu was quoted saying in 2001 by Israel's Haaretz newspaper.