1) artificial intelligence,
2) computing technologies,
3) robotics, and
4) materials science.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Since the HAL 2000 computer and producer Stanley Kubrick provided a glimpse of AI’s independent (although nefarious) capability to independently think in the epic movie, 2001 A Space Odyssey, we have been eagerly waiting for the emergence of artificial intelligence. AI is no longer a topic only found in science fiction movies, we are now on the cusp of AI emergence. Elements that AI emergence consist of machine learning, and natural language processing that are now a daily part of our lives. Today, AI can understand, diagnose, and solve problems from both structured and unstructured data — and in some cases without being specifically programmed.
The focus and challenges of artificial intelligence are clear cut. AI systems seek to replicate human traits and computational capabilities in a machine, and surpass human limitations and speed. It is already happening. Artificial synapses that mimic the human brain will likely direct the next generation of computing. The components may differ, it may be analog or digital, and it may be based on transistors, chemicals, biological, photonics, or possibly quantum components.
Computers with AI have been predominantly designed for automation activities that include memory emulation, speech recognition, learning, planning, and problem solving. AI technologies can provide for more efficient decision making by prioritizing and acting on data, especially across larger networks with many users and variables. In the very near future, AI is going to change how we do business, how we plan, and how we design. You can see it now. AI already is a catalyst for driving fundamental changes in many industries such as customer service, marketing, banking, healthcare, business accounting, public safety, retail, education, and public transport.
Recently, a chat box called OpenGPT has brought attention to the potential of AI and its human-like correlations, especially when expressing itself in written analysis. DALL-E, another OpenAI application, has shown the ability to that could create images from basic instructions. Both AI tools do so by mimicking human speech patterns and language and then synthesize the data. A good overview of OpenGPT can be found in the recent FORBES article by Arianna Johnson: Here’s What To Know About OpenAI’s ChatGPT—What It’s Disrupting And How To Use It (forbes.com)
Last year, Google’s DeepMind AI division built machines that can predict millions of protein structures, a great benefit to science and health research. In a new breakthrough, DeepMind researchers have created an AI that can now write code as well as humans. The notion of AI writing its own code, creating its own languages is both intriguing and potentially alarming. AI is not quite sentient but may be on track to be. DeepMind Builds AI That Codes as Well as the Average Human Programmer - ExtremeTech
Another very exciting area of a potential breakthrough for AI is around Human/computer interface that will extend human brain capacity and memory. Science is already making great advances in brain/computer interface. This may include neuromorphic chips and brain mapping. Brain-computer interfaces are formed via emerging assistive devices that have implantable sensors that record electrical signals in the brain and use those signals to drive external devices.
A brain -computer interface has been shown to even be able to read thoughts. This is done where an electrode plate called an ECOG is put in direct contact with the brain’s surface to measure electrical activity. Paralyzed humans via ECOG can now communicate with others via their thoughts being translated into text, according to Dr. Brian Brown (professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai). Can Technology Make Humans 'Super'? - Innovation & Tech Today (innotechtoday.com)
A Frontiers in Science publication involving the collaboration of academia, institutes, and scientists summed up the promise of the human computer interface, They concluded that “We can imagine the possibilities of what may come next with the human brain machine interface. A human B/CI system mediated by neural nanorobotics could empower individuals with instantaneous access to all cumulative human knowledge available in the cloud and significantly improve human learning capacities and intelligence. Further, it might transition totally immersive virtual and augmented realities to unprecedented levels, allowing for more meaningful experiences and fuller/richer expression for, and between, users. These enhancements may assist humanity to adapt emergent artificial intelligence systems as human-augmentation technologies, facilitating the mitigation of new challenges to the human species.” Frontiers | Human Brain/Cloud Interface.
And recently, A team of Stanford scientists tested a new brain-computer interface (BCI) that they say can decode speech at up to 62 words per minute, improving the previous record by 3.4 times. Scientists Say New Brain-Computer Interface Lets Users Transmit 62 Words Per Minute.
And with the emergence of all technologies comes the fusion of how they might work together. Artificial intelligence is no doubt one of the primary catalysts involved in enhancing capabilities, especially in computing. For more on this topic of fusion, please see my FORBES article: The New Techno-Fusion: The Merging Of Technologies Impacting Our Future The New Techno-Fusion: The Merging Of Technologies Impacting Our Future .
