Greetings DevilsAdvocate et al.,
My question is with the rapid miniaturization of computer chips, increase in processing power and memory size, and introduction of novel innovations such as neural networks, nanotechnology and quantum computing, do you think that machines well become self-aware (sentient) and if so how and when?
Yes I do see it as happening, even inevitable. I think within fifty to one hundred years time artificial sentience will have been achieved. I think the breakthrough will come through recursive simulation of a very highly resolved complex system, that takes into account all of the possible combinations of the subunits, then sorting against a criteria that improves the simulation. Similar to mammal brain evolution but getting every single possible brain every generation.