## Humans and Intelligent Machines

_IMF Blog, November 15, 2016_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Humans and Intelligent Machines](https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2016/11/15/humans-and-intelligent-machines)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/blogs/articles/2016/11/15/humans-and-intelligent-machines/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/blogs/articles/2016/11/15/humans-and-intelligent-machines/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/blogs/articles/2016/11/15/humans-and-intelligent-machines/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: iMFdirect
- Published: November 15, 2016

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### Publication details
- iMFdirect
- November 15, 2016
- Topic: Technology

### Core takeaway
- Inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil argues that intelligent machines are beneficial and "your friends."
- Artificial intelligence is helping overcome human limitations and creating better-paying jobs.
- “That’s the purpose of technology, and we are the only species that creates technology. That was enabled by the expansion of the neocortex 2 million years ago—we used that additional neocortex to invent technology. The first technology was language so we could share ideas. Technology is a body and brain extender.”

### Kurzweil’s background and inventions
- Developed a famous music synthesizer in the 1980’s that was the first to accurately recreate the complex harmonic structure of a grand piano.
- Invented speech recognition machines.
- Invented the flatbed scanner.
- Entrepreneur and participant in the 2016 IMF World-Bank Annual Meetings panel on how new technologies are shaping the global economy.

### Perspective on AI in culture and economy
- Notes that intelligent machines—or AI's as they are called—are often portrayed as villains in science fiction movies.
- Kurzweil believes AI is doing more good than harm and contributes positively to the economy by creating better-paying jobs.

### Media
- Podcast featuring Ray Kurzweil available (embedded SoundCloud track).

*Source: Humans and Intelligent Machines, iMFdirect, November 15, 2016*

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## References

- [podcast](http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/SinglePodcastHighlight.aspx?podcastid=422)
- [panel discussion](http://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2016/10/06/am16-na100616-countries-need-smart-policies-to-benefit-from-technologys-full-potential)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2016/11/15/humans-and-intelligent-machines_