Machine Learning for Humans

When our civilization is discussed on a futuristic version of the History Channel, one of the key findings they will point to is our nurturing of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Machine learning has become less of a novelty and more of a highly encountered function, as this article explores “in everyday life, it’s increasingly commonplace to discover machines in roles traditionally occupied by humans.”

Founded in STEM practices and theories, AI is defined as the study of “agents that perceive the world around them, form plans, and make decisions to achieve their goals.” AI includes computer vision, robotics, machine learning, and natural language processing. Besides a segmented crash course, this article shares foundational concepts in AI development:

  • Machine learning is a recommended place to start to best comprehend the deep impact of AI.
  • Artificial narrow intelligence (ANI) is focused on the performance of niche, narrowly defined tasks, such as IBM’s Deep Blue astounding defeat of the world chess champion in 1997.
  • Artificial general intelligence (AGI) or “strong AI” takes it many steps further, successfully performing any intellectual task that can be performed by a human (e.g., learning, planning, decision-making, communicating, reprogramming and more).
  • Intelligence explosion is the discussion of when ultra-intelligent machines not only overtake humans in intelligence but accelerate past into infinite capacities.

While surveyed AI researchers and practitioners vary in the opinion of the timeline for AGI, a cited report by the Future of Humanity Institute found that “researchers believe there is a 50% chance of AI outperforming humans in all tasks in 45 years.”

I read the article mentioned above (https://medium.com/machine-learning-for-humans/why-machine-learning-matters-6164faf1df12) and thought it was interesting. While I am not offering an endorsement of a strategy, tactics, thoughts, service nor a company or author, the information was intellectually stimulating and thoughtful and worth a review.