Some potentially troubling news on the whole “the machines will inherit the Earth” front:
- “A satellite orbiting Earth is learning to think for itself. This artificial intelligence offers a powerful new way to study Earth, and it may prove useful on other planets, too.” [Link, via Cynical-C]
- “Researchers at NEC System Technologies and Mie University have designed a robot that can taste — an electromechanical sommelier able to identify dozens of different wines, cheeses and hors d’oeuvres….When a reporter’s hand was placed against the robot’s taste sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. A cameraman was mistaken for bacon.” [Link, via Neatorama]
- “Scientists have used computer software to come up with what they say is the perfect comedy face….They said soft and feminine features, typified by Ricky Gervais, were more likely to make people laugh.” [Link, via TV Squad]
Oh yeh, we’re also teaching them how to take damage.
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/1116/2
Yay.
Okay… so, artificially intelligent machines that are impervious to harm and think humans taste like delicious bacon? Check. But, hey, at least they’ll be able to make us laugh!