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Artificial intelligence discussion

Lotus

Hi, I've just completed a short course on artificial intelligence. These are some things I learned:

Artificial intelligence is often thought of as scary robots, e.g. Terminator, but AI is used in computer systems to do things like suggest films or books you might like, based on your previous choices. It uses a range of technologies, from simple rule based systems such as " if this is true (or if this is false), then do this" to a complex 'neural net' that is a simplistic model of how the brain works, and can be trained (machine learning)

As well as being used on social media or shopping sites, AI can identify things such as tumour cells in a medical scan or identify galaxies in photographs or from space. Large language models can generate rich interesting text in any language and translate, restructure or re-phrase text. A related field is image generation, where brand new images are generated by the AI. 

In Soeul, AI mini robots were used in a pilot scheme to show senior citizens how to use technology such as smart phones, to enable them to better participate in society and help with preventing loneliness.

Youve probably heard of self driving cars. One accident that happened was a self driving car hitting a truck that pulled out in front of it at a junction in the city. This was because the AI had been trained to drive on a highway, not city streets, and the image of a truck it had been given was a view of the back of a truck. When it saw the side of the truck as it pulled out, it thought it was a road sign and so attempted to drive under it. The AI had no perception that the space under the truck was lower than the vehicle it was driving.

There are issues around ethics, inclusion and sustainability. For example, if AI is trained using data that is biased, the AI will acquire that bias. Although it can be used for facial recognition, it can sometimes struggle to determine gender and the darker the skin tone, the less accurate are the results. Training AI uses massive amounts of resources.

What are your thoughts?

And would you be comfortable having an AI robot in your home to help with tasks?

Parents

  • I think it has its place, it's already used to undertake certain kinds of precision surgery. 

    The question will always be making sure we use it rather than being a slave to it. In many countries, Smartphones are being banned from classrooms because of the potential for contrant distraction they bring for kids. Tablets with no access to the internet might be a way they could be used better in the classroom, for example. Or with an intranet exclusive to the school.

    Robots in the house? Well. I  could already go out and get a robot vacuum leaner today if I wanted. Robots would have to be better coordinated to do much more though. 

    I do get mad when I hear about humanoid robots selling their artwork or tens of thousands of dollars, when I can only sell mine, refined after decades of practise, for peanuts because I don't have enough of a Name, and am mainly self taught. But the same goes for animal artists. I've half a mind to rebrand myself as a pig, or an elephant. I could make me a nice dangling trunk and reidentify. I could rebrand as a robot dog even! The possibilities are boundless! I could tape a rotten banana skin to the wall on my next Exhibition! And no, I wouldn't be interested in coming out as neurotypical, with all the condescension that would bring. 

    Casting pearls before swine, and yes I know that artistic self expression is often a spiritual thing. 

    The big question of SF is again, will the robotorcsentient computer become a Frankenstein monster, or will they become infused with the divine spark? Some scientists fear that in the case of A1 we are already there. 

    Interesting times then. 

Reply

  • I think it has its place, it's already used to undertake certain kinds of precision surgery. 

    The question will always be making sure we use it rather than being a slave to it. In many countries, Smartphones are being banned from classrooms because of the potential for contrant distraction they bring for kids. Tablets with no access to the internet might be a way they could be used better in the classroom, for example. Or with an intranet exclusive to the school.

    Robots in the house? Well. I  could already go out and get a robot vacuum leaner today if I wanted. Robots would have to be better coordinated to do much more though. 

    I do get mad when I hear about humanoid robots selling their artwork or tens of thousands of dollars, when I can only sell mine, refined after decades of practise, for peanuts because I don't have enough of a Name, and am mainly self taught. But the same goes for animal artists. I've half a mind to rebrand myself as a pig, or an elephant. I could make me a nice dangling trunk and reidentify. I could rebrand as a robot dog even! The possibilities are boundless! I could tape a rotten banana skin to the wall on my next Exhibition! And no, I wouldn't be interested in coming out as neurotypical, with all the condescension that would bring. 

    Casting pearls before swine, and yes I know that artistic self expression is often a spiritual thing. 

    The big question of SF is again, will the robotorcsentient computer become a Frankenstein monster, or will they become infused with the divine spark? Some scientists fear that in the case of A1 we are already there. 

    Interesting times then. 

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