Posts Tagged 'Artificial Intelligence'

The Butlerian Jihad and the Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

Posted on September 29th, 2019 · Posted in Analysis and Opinion

Those of us who grew up with 1960’s Science Fiction remember well Frank Herbert’s Magnum Opus, Dune. That amazing book laid the groundwork for much environmentalist thinking, and has been an inspiration for an entire generation of fans. The story’s feudal interstellar society, taking place thousands of years in our future, has very advanced capabilities, notably faster than light travel; yet one thing is missing: there are no computers anywhere (except for the mentats, who are specially trained human computers). The reason there are no computers in Dune’s universe is hinted at repeatedly in the book: it is the outcome.. Read more

Artificial Intelligence: Where We are and Where We’re Headed

Posted on September 24th, 2018 · Posted in Analysis and Opinion, Off-topic

These days we hear a lot about Artificial Intelligence (AI), but many folks I speak to seem to have little appreciation for what it’s all about – and why it’s so important. If you’re curious, here is my take on the past, present and future of this discipline. Where we’re coming from Artificial Intelligence has gone through a number of phases in the past seven decades. In the fifties there was the vision, articulated by Alan Turing, that the newly invented electronic computer will attain the capabilities of human-like thought. Then, in the sixties and seventies, computers became powerful enough.. Read more