With consumers increasingly grasping the idea of having computers carry out tasks reserved for humans, artificial intelligence is on the rise. Although conversing with a realistic robot creeps many out, AI has transcended from just merely mimicking the image and the way a person speaks to profoundly looking at human responses, logical reasoning and creativity.

The human brain is computer sciences Mt. Everest. Once also only a dream, weve seen how determined mountaineers were able to summit the highest peak in the planet. Could this be an indication that the impossibility that once loomed artificial intelligence can finally touch base with reality? The quest continues as big names walk the talk and gamble investments on AI.

Facebook Founders on AI Research

Good Ventures LLC, together with Facebook founders, PayPal, Napster mean serious artificial intelligence business as they put together a whopping $15 million to fund Vicarious search for the key to AI. A pretty hefty sum for a Union City startup, the money will not aid commercialization, but will heavily support R&D instead. Vicarious uses advanced computational principles to build and create software that has the human-like ability to think and learn. While they are going up against the big players that include HP, IBM, Google and Apple, some considers this local newbie to be a game-changer.

In the official press release, the investors expressed confidence in Vicarious and how they support the companys good cause:

The technology that Vicarious is developing has the potential to improve all lives and revolutionize every industry. Even the intermediate technologies Vicarious creates en route to artificial intelligence will be immensely impactful, said Mr. Moskovitz, who will be joining Vicariouss board of directors. Its essential that the right people bring this technology into the world, added Cari Tuna, president of the Good Ventures Foundation and Mr. Moskovitzs fiance. Scott and Dileep share our mission to help humanity thrive, and were deeply grateful for their efforts.

Early last year, the launch of Vicarious Systems has summoned attention as they presented a technology that was able to interpret photos and videos the way human beings do. In their Bloomberg interview, co-founders Scott Brown and Dileep George explained how they are planning to revolutionize not only the AI industry, but other sectors like healthcare, manufacturing and retail.

AI on Branches of Science

A $400,000 grant over a course of five years will be given to Computer Science Assistant Professor Matthew E. Taylor by the Faculty Early Career Development Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support his artificial intelligence researches. Included in the award are travel privileges to expose his studies in the international scene. He will be supported by students in developing codes, running experiments and writing the papers.

From computer science to the laboratories artificial intelligence has been opening broader opportunities for geneticists to find solutions to old problems in genetic-related diseases. Scientists demonstrated a system that utilizes AI and avant-garde image processing to rapidly evaluate large numbers of nematodes. This AI-powered worm sorting scheme can identify genetic mutations without human intervention.

Excerpt from:

AI On The Rise: Big Investments Pour for R&D as AI Turns Sci-Fi to Reality