There could be a "real" Astro Boy in existence, right now?

[jeffbert]

While not a "see, I told you so..." I just got a definite confirmation of my AI "hunch" from my uncle (another uber geek at IBM). Told him about our thread over here (he used to watch Astro Boy too) and says they've shifted the focus of creating artificial intelligence away from the manner in which computers "think" (binary). They are also forgoing the system they had been developing ("Base 10") to a form that supposedly more closely emulates how WE think (not everything is a 1 or 0; information can shift between - or be both - is that "fuzzy logic?") -- he's not involved with it directly (darn) - but what is "known" is that the physiological structure of the "brain" and the manner in which it learns is significantly different from what has come before.

Fuzzy logic is a continuum between the 1 & the 0, rather than just the 1 & the 0. To clarify, one of my college final exam's multiple choice question said something like PICK THE ANSWER THAT IS MOST CORRECT. Thus, while there might have been several answers that could technically be said to be correct, one was more accurate. I guess if it asked the decimal value of PI, one could say that it is 3.14, but that is only a rough approximation; so it depends on the # of decimal places we want.

I would say that if there is an argument about which of 2 opposing things should be done, & somebody suggests that there ought to be solutions somewhere between the 2 extremes, that would be analogous to fuzzy logic. I believe it can be implemented with a binary computer, but it takes software designed such, to do so.

I feel that my explanation is just a bit lacking. Aristotle developed binary logic, & it has been called Western; I believe the Eastern philosophies employ fuzzy logic; though it may be a bit different from that which computer scientists use.

I have this book, though I have never read it:
Fuzzy Thinking: The New Science of Fuzzy Logic

[AprilSeven]

Well, that's exactly what Tony was describing - that nebulous, unsettled area of "gray" -- it will be interesting to see how (assuming they are successful) it emerges to public awareness.

If I ever get to retire (or not need sleep) I would definitely get into learning more about the science behind all this (string theory is another thing I can't explain but "feels" logical). Then I think of how I'd get all these scary questions correct in my geometry class -- but couldn't "prove" them -- had the answer - but couldn't explain how I got it (fuzzy logic!) hmmm....

should have been a comp sci major instead of an artist....maybe I could have helped create an Astro!

[TasZero]

Ouch, I go away for less than a day and the topic shifts to fuzzy logic, which I know nothing about.

Sounds like you have an interesting uncle though, who better to ask than someone who works in the field. I bet he'd be quick to learn about any new technology or directions it might be going.

Putting the whole thing into practice though. I personally think we'll see computer bound AI before we see that sort of thing being put into a body. I mean, what would be more useful than your computer having an actual AI inside it. Not only that but that AI could be incredibly useful in helping users interface with the technology by not only presenting it in an easy to understand manner but also learning your preferences.
Just imagine turning your computer on to see a little Astro walk across the screen, greet you and then proceed to open your web browser.

Then he could tell you what to put into the thread and even what he thinks about what your typing.
Of course, thats a long way off, but I think that sort of thing will appear before we have robots walking around and thinking for themselves.

Trust me, I have done a bit of computer science and its not easy. You really have a logical way of thinking, and then you need to know the language your using, whatever it may be.
At least as an artist you could use your computer to help design the digital body Astro would use if the idea above actually happened.

[AprilSeven]

I completely agree with you -- an AI ala HAL (and we all know HAL is a not so secretly veiled IBM computer!)

One thing I do consider a blessing in my life is coming from a family with so many members who have been/still are part of IBM (I live close to Poughkeepsie, NY -- IBM's birthplace). They had an amazing corporate culture and there was always a buzz at family gatherings about what was going on over there. When I first saw Astro Boy I reasoned the Institute of Science was like IBM -- an almost magical place where impossible things became reality.

When you grow up with the word "Think" emblazoned on stuff all over your house, you tend believe that's the secret to the universe!

+ = !

[avatargirl]

hi- love that APRIL- "THINK"- THE SECRET TO THE UNIVERSE!- THANKS

[fafner]

A few days ago I ran accross this article: A humanoid robot on the Moon by 2015.
Not sure how "human" they plan their robots to be, but my eye was caught by the name of the firm

[jeffbert]

Hmm, this is rather unexpected; but if any nation would do it, I suppose it would be Japan.

[AprilSeven]

He should draw ATOM on the moon's surface, as well as the Japanese flag

[Robin]

So the latest science according to my moms friend (Who works for NASA) is that Fuzzy logic + enough processing power + a impossible program = A.I.

The way he explained it, you program a complex program made to emulate human emotions on to a extremely powerful computer and when it is almost human-like, you give it a series of morale no win scenarios without a programmed outlet. The only way for the program to stop running is for the computer to decide how to react with no data on the outcome and no user input on what to do. I guess they think if you let to program sit long enough, the computer will "evolve" and make decision thus the birth of a A.I.

[avatargirl]

HI- ANYONE see movie called -"INVISIBLE BOY"- IT WAS aBOUT a self aware computer that in 25 years made itself into a dangerous computer with only 7 programing changes in all that time- pray everyone the very best always!