Recommended Robot and AI Reads This Week

Inside the Hunt for the Master Algorithm
Here’s a nice interview with Pedro Domingos, a professor at the University of Washington and the author of an excellent new book, The Master Algorithm. In the book, Domingos argues that the field of artificial intelligence needs a grand unified theory of machine learning.

Don’t Fear the Robots
The New York Times writer Steve Lohr argues that the advance of robotics is less worrying than that of the multitude of algorithms that increasingly guide businesses and shape our lives; and he mentions some interesting efforts to make those algorithms more accessible and accountable.

Inside the Surprisingly Sexist World of Artificial Intelligence
Quartz asks if bringing more women and minorities into computer science and AI research might not help broaden and improve the two fields’ goals and perspectives.

Killer Robots Must Be Stopped, Activists Say
NewsWeek has a decent overview of the campaign to ban “autonomous” weapons. It seems unlikely that the effort will slow the development of these systems, though.

Hi, Robot
Foreign Affairs magazine has a special issue with several nice articles on the possible social and economic implications of robots and automation. Free registration is required to read them.

Walmart Seeks to Test Drones for Home Delivery, Pickup
The U.S. retail giant apparently plans to get in an aerial delivery dogfight with Amazon, Google, and others vying to delivery products by air.