Recommended Robot and AI Reads This Week
Now There’s An App For That
A story in the Economist looks at how recent advances in AI, especially a machine-learning technique called deep learning, could soon be put to good use in medicine.
U.S. Military Foresees Robot “Transportation Hub” in Space
Robots are already pioneering the exploration of other planets, so why not use them to repair and refuel satellites? Space.com reports on an intriguing DARPA proposal to place an automated spaceport in orbit.
DARPA Adds “Sense of Touch” to Robot Hand
Another project backed by the U.S. military’s research department could allow those who have lost a limb to not only control a prosthetic device using their brain, but also receive some sort of sensory feedback via the appendage.
New Robot Maps Fukushima Reactors
The Japanese newspaper the Manichi reports that a new robot will help with the arduous process of decommissioning the stricken nuclear plant in Fukushima by entering and mapping its buildings. The situation highlights the limitations of existing robots, and is one motivation for trying to develop more nimble and dexterous machines.
Software Is Smart Enough for SAT, but Still Far From Intelligent
This piece by John Markoff the New York Times offers some interesting context on a widely reported experiment that saw AI software successfully answer a series of 11th-grade SAT geometry questions.
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Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he’s now scared of the tech he helped build
“I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us.”
Meet the people who use Notion to plan their whole lives
The workplace tool’s appeal extends far beyond organizing work projects. Many users find it’s just as useful for managing their free time.
Learning to code isn’t enough
Historically, learn-to-code efforts have provided opportunities for the few, but new efforts are aiming to be inclusive.
Deep learning pioneer Geoffrey Hinton has quit Google
Hinton will be speaking at EmTech Digital on Wednesday.
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