Person of Interest2011

Harold Finch:
The machine it started developing abilities I never expected, things I hadn't yet programmed it to do. And there wasn't an algorithm in the world that could control its exponential growth. And by the time I figured one out myself it would've been too late.

John Greer:
Too late for what?

Harold Finch:
Isn't that just the question? Having built something significantly smarter than myself, how could I possibly anticipate its evolution?

John Greer:
Hmm. Uncertainty. Your personal abyss.

Harold Finch:
I built the machine to save lives, but how could I be certain that it wouldn't one day determine that all of humanity was irrelevant? Please, you cannot allow Samaritan to go online. The consequences of an open system will be devastating.

John Greer:
"The father became fearful of his son, so he wounded him". A tale told time and again. I don't think of Samaritan as a child. I'm not that presumptuous. But I plan to celebrate its brilliance not muzzle it.

Harold Finch:
It's pure hubris to think that you can control something so powerful.

John Greer:
Whoever said I wanted to control it?