DARPA seeks self-aware

[thx1138]

AI robot mega-tanks. http://www.prisonplanet.com/darpa-seeks-self-aware-ai-robot-mega-tanks.html

[trish]

Nothing to be afraid of here. People have been saying since Brainiac that language translations programs, electronic grand masters and artificial intelligence are just around the corner. Since then we've turned a dozen corners. Each corner brought us faster logic gates, but it looks like the speed of linear computation is reaching the fundamental limit imposed by quantum mechanics. Because computations are so speedy, we have indeed built grand masters. But it's important to realize they win tournaments, not because they have intelligence, but merely because they use brute force computations to check a myriad of possibilities into the future. Indeed current brute force algorithms out compete ones that attempt to employ higher level strategies. We also have language translating programs but only for very specific domains of communication. No ones using them to translate literature. Parallel processing would hold promise, but for three decades hasn't advanced much beyond the theory of neural nets. The most interesting applications of parallel processing are the ones using cooperating nodes of the internet. Quantum computing is way in future. People are having a hard time just making single quantum gates, let alone a whole quantum computer. What DARPA is talking about is not the kind of artificial intelligence that we usually associate with SKY NET and science fiction. Check out their DARPA link for the little power point slide show.

http://www.darpa.mil/ipto/solicit/baa/SELF_presentation.pdf

I guarantee, you won't be impressed.

[hippifried]

Brainiac was a character from the Superman comics. I think Univac was the big computer from the '50s.

[trish]

Okay brainiac :)

[thx1138]

So they haven't succeded yet. That doesn't mean they're going to stop trying.

[Oli]

So they haven't succeded yet. That doesn't mean they're going to stop trying.

http://onemoreoption.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/5-the-matrix-trinity-dodge-this.jpg

Don't worry Trinity, we have confidence that you and Morpheus can save us.