# Computers Can Surpass Human Powers but Humans Will Retain Control by M. C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge > "In the same way in which machines were built to surpass human physical powers in the industrial revolution, computers can surpass human memory and computational speed for intended actions. The ultimate control will remain with humans and human society." > **— M. C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge**, *2002, “Overview,” Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance* ## Sources and Context - **Primary source:** [NSF/DOC-sponsored report, “Overview,” p. 22](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/bioecon-%28%23%20023SUPP%29%20NSF-NBIC.pdf). The second sentence is the authors' assurance, not an empirically established guarantee. The surrounding paragraph also calls for preserving human identity and dignity and attending to safeguards. - **Attribution boundary:** The volume says its authors' opinions are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Machine Succession|Machine Succession]] - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Article:** [[articles/AI Escape Is the Wrong Metaphor|AI Escape Is the Wrong Metaphor]] - **Article:** [[articles/We Were Never Going to Make It|We Were Never Going to Make It]] - **Wiki map:** [[wiki/Machine Succession|Machine Succession]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance|Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance]] - [[wiki/Machine Succession|Machine Succession]] ## Share on Social Media ``` "In the same way in which machines were built to surpass human physical powers in the industrial revolution, computers can surpass human memory and computational speed for intended actions. The ultimate control will remain with humans and human society." — M. C. Roco and W. S. Bainbridge, 2002, Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-roco-bainbridge-human-control-assurance ```