Part of the inhumanity of the computer is that, once it is competently programmed and working smoothly, it is completely honest.
Interpretation
Computers, when properly programmed, operate with complete honesty and consistency, lacking human flaws.
Isaac Asimov's quote highlights a fundamental characteristic of computers: their ability to function with pure logic and honesty once they have been programmed correctly. Unlike humans, who can be influenced by emotions and biases, computers perform tasks based solely on the instructions given to them, presenting a kind of inhumanity that is devoid of deception but can also lead to unintended consequences if not carefully managed.
In practice
In a tech conference discussing the implications of artificial intelligence.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
I believe quite simply that the small company of the future will be as much a research organization as it is a manufacturing company.
The speed of communications is wondrous to behold. It is also true that speed can multiply the distribution of information that we know to be untrue.
The reason that Apple is able to create products like the iPad is because we've always tried to be at the intersection of technology and the liberal arts.
Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly support programs at Microsoft and in the industry that bring more women into technology and close the pay gap.
My number one piece of advice is: you should learn how to program.
We are rapidly entering the age of no privacy, where everyone is open to surveillance at all times; where there are no secrets from government.
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