In my previous column, I looked at the problem of artificial intelligences forcing hardware to consume too much power, which could lead to an unsustainable spike in demand at data centers in this country by 2025. To test out their appetites for more power, I employed several advanced artificial intelligences, and also their close cousins machine learning, cognitive computing, deep learning and advanced expert system technology. For that column, I only measured how much power they consumed, but my original intention was to actually test them out to show some innovative things the technology was accomplishing. I am circling back to that effort now.
For many years we have been reporting on the technology of artificial intelligence, about how its being built out and made more efficient, or how it can be paired with other technologies like quantum computing to become even more accurate. At the same time, the government has been keenly focused on AI ethics, ensuring that our newly created smart programs and machines dont go rogue or make mistakes that could get people hurt. The Defense Department now follows five ethical principles when using AI, while the intelligence community has its own artificial intelligence ethics guidelines.
There is still a lot of learning to do, but at this point we have pretty much covered the basics in terms of building out smart AIs and related technologies, power consumption issues aside. That is why we are starting to see a lot of interesting reports on projects that make use of AI, like figuring out which fishing boats out in the ocean are using forced labor or planning how we can safely get people to Mars.
These are some of the most interesting AIs that I have collected over the past few months, what they do and how well they perform.
COBOL Colleague
The federal government invested big in the COBOL programming language back in the day. It was designed for business, finance and administrative systems within both private companies and government organizations. Today, however, its not actively used for any new projects, having been replaced by more efficient languages. Most COBOL programming today is used to maintain existing systems written in the language that cant easily be replaced or recoded. The problem is that nobody is learning how to code in COBOL anymore, and most programmers that already know it have retired.
That is where Colorado-based startup Phase Change Software and their COBOL Colleague AI comes into play. Instead of trying to teach COBOL to modern programmers, it scans existing programs written in the language for vulnerabilities and problems, and zeros in on exactly what lines need to be fixed.
There is certainly a skills shortage, however, the real problem is that the knowledge of the application is disappearing, said Steve Brothers, COO of Phase Change Software.
Deploying an AI to look at code is almost like hiring a skilled human programmer. In the case of COBOL Colleague, it wont make changes to the code on its own but will show where any changes are needed. Then skilled programmers, even if they are not totally familiar with COBOL, can make the necessary fixes.
ToxMod
ToxMod is an interesting artificial intelligence made by Modulate Inc, a company that specializes in innovative AI. ToxMod is designed to regulate live comments in voice chat rooms and is able to distinguish subtle differences between, say, someone using an explicative in frustration, and someone using it as an attack or as part of a hateful tirade. To give ToxMod a real workout, its being deployed in the ultimate toxic environment, the chat rooms of video games.
Since ToxMod can differentiate something like honest frustration expressed in a toxic way from malicious intent, it can also advise matchmaking or reputation algorithms to improve the player experience, said Carter Huffman, Co-Founder and CTO of Modulate. Additionally, each games private ToxMod instances learn over time about their communitys specifics, on top of ToxMods universal core algorithms which evolve and improve automatically behind the scenes.
ToxMod can listen to and understand emotions, volume, inflections and other factors to determine if speech should be flagged. If hateful speech is detected, site moderators are alerted along with an audio clip to back up the AIs claim. This will let moderators check the AIs work while identifying bad actors and preemptively resolving a problem before it grows into something more serious.
The Test
This last one is mostly just for fun, but I was so impressed that I felt like I needed to include it here. The Test is, on the surface, a series of three games available for less than $2 each on the Steam gaming platform. The games are kind of bizarre in nature. Players sit in front of a demonic-like figure at his desk and are asked a series of very personal questions. The questions consist of typical personality type questions like If you found money on the street and knew who it belonged to, would you return it? But there are also a series of very strange scenarios and off-the-wall questions like if you were starving at home would you eat your pets, if pink is a prettier color than red, or if would you stop a zombie apocalypse if you could.
Behind the scenes, developer Randumb Studios is likely using an expert system as opposed to a true AI to track results and prepare advice for players. The questions were so strange that I really didnt think much of it, though I did try and answer honestly. But the final results, especially for the second game, really floored me.
It told me that I was working too hard and that I needed to take some time to recharge my batteries because I was not doing anyone any good if I was spread so thin that nobody was getting my best. It advised me to allocate two units of personal time for every one unit I spent working for others, which would be a key to both my happiness and success moving forward.
The strange thing is that I was really thinking about this exact same thing over the past two weeks, especially with the holidays approaching. I was worried about burnout and keeping a good work and life balance, and had spent quite a few evenings contemplating that exact topic. But I never told the game this, and dont see how its bizarre questions led it to that conclusion.
I guess that is the magic of expert systems. Its why those little 20-questions toys that ask you yes and no questions can always guess the song or the movie star that you are thinking about. But the leap that The Test made with me was a lot bigger than that. I still dont know how they did it, but am very impressed with the results.
The really amazing thing is that we are really just scratching the surface about what AI can do. In the near future, even the projects highlighted here will seem trivial compared to what is possible.
John Breeden II is an award-winning journalist and reviewer with over 20 years of experience covering technology. He is the CEO of the Tech Writers Bureau, a group that creates technological thought leadership content for organizations of all sizes. Twitter: @LabGuys
Continued here:
Artificial Intelligence Begins to Realize Its Potential - Nextgov
- What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? - Definition from ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence | Neuro AI [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2016]
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence - Wikipedia, the free ... [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence - The New York Times [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Intro to Artificial Intelligence Course and Training ... [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence | Neuro AI [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Webopedia Definition [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Intro to Artificial Intelligence Course and Training Online ... [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence News -- ScienceDaily [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2016]
- Artificial intelligence positioned to be a game-changer - CBS ... [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach - amazon.com [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence - IndiaBIX [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- The Non-Technical Guide to Machine Learning & Artificial ... [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence - Graduate Schools of Science ... [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: An Introduction [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- What does artificial intelligence mean? - Definitions.net [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence Lockheed Martin [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence Course - Computer Science at CCSU [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- FREE Artificial Intelligence Essay - Example Essays [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Elon Musk's artificial intelligence group signs Microsoft ... [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Real FX - Slotless Racing with Artificial Intelligence [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Artificial Intelligence: What It Is and How It Really Works [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence Market Size and Forecast by 2024 [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2017]
- Algorithm-Driven Design: How Artificial Intelligence Is ... [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2017]
- 9 Development in Artificial Intelligence | Funding a ... [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence Tops Humans in Poker Battle What's the Big Deal? - PokerNews.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Is AI a Threat to Christianity? - The Atlantic [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Allow mathematicians to pierce artificial intelligence frontiers - Livemint [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Montreal sees its future in smart sensors, artificial intelligence (with video) - Computerworld [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Silicon Valley Hedge Fund Takes On Wall Street With AI Trader - Bloomberg [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- The Observer view on artificial intelligence - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence Is Coming Whether You Like It Or Not - Mother Jones [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- RealDoll Creating Artificial Intelligence System, Robotic Sex Dolls ... - Breitbart News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Forget lessons, these smart skis are loaded with artificial intelligence - Mashable [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence Correctly Predicted the Patriots' 34-28 Super ... - Digital Trends [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Why C-Levels Need To Think About eLearning And Artificial Intelligence - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence-Driven Robots: More Brains Than Brawn - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Artificial intelligence: How to build the business case - ZDNet [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- What 'social artificial intelligence' means for marketers - VentureBeat [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Actress Kristen Stewart's Research Paper On Artificial Intelligence: A Critical Evaluation - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Baidu cut its healthcare business to concentrate on artificial intelligence - Asia Times [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Google Android Wear 2.0 update puts artificial intelligence inside your wristwatch - The Sun [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- How criminals use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - BetaNews [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- In the Labs: Connected vehicles in Ohio, artificial intelligence in Illinois and Massachusetts - Network World [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Keeping an eye on artificial intelligence - The National Business Review [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Actors, teachers, therapists think your job is safe from artificial intelligence? Think again - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Wells Fargo Innovation Group to Focus on Artificial Intelligence, Payments and APIs - Wall Street Journal (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- SAP aims to step up its artificial intelligence, machine learning game as S/4HANA hits public cloud - ZDNet [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence Is Coming To Police Bodycams, Raising Privacy Concerns - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Nvidia Beats Earnings Estimates As Its Artificial Intelligence Business Keeps On Booming - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Could Artificial Intelligence Ever Become A Threat To Humanity? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Artificial intuition will supersede artificial intelligence, experts say - Network World [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The Peril of Inaction with Artificial Intelligence - Gigaom [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- TASER International Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Law Enforcement - Motley Fool [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- LG G6 teasers emphasize battery life, artificial intelligence - CNET [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Wells Fargo sets up artificial intelligence team in tech push - Reuters [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Ford spending $1 billion on self-driving artificial intelligence - CNET [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence in Business Process Automation - Nanalyze [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- An artificial intelligence gamble that paid off - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Ford to Invest $1 Billion in Artificial Intelligence Start-Up - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Wells Fargo Pushes Into Artificial Intelligence - Fortune [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Artificial intelligence predictions surpass reality - UT The Daily Texan [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Creating artificial intelligence-driven technology products is almost like unleashing the Frankenstein's monster - Economic Times (blog) [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Inside Intel Corporation's Artificial Intelligence Strategy - Motley Fool [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- The artificial intelligence revolutionising healthcare - Irish Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Ford Announces Investment in Artificial Intelligence Company Argo AI - Motor Trend [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Ford Invests $1-Billion in Artificial Intelligence - AutoGuide.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Salesforce adds some artificial intelligence to customer service products - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- No hype, just fact: Artificial intelligence in simple business terms - ZDNet [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence and The Confusion of Our Age - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- How Artificial Intelligence Startups Struck Gold - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Terrifyingly, Google's Artificial Intelligence acts aggressive when cornered - Chron.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- This Startup Has Developed A New Artificial Intelligence That Can (Sometimes) Beat Google - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- RPI artificial intelligence expert looks at Westworld - Albany Times Union [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Google's DeepMind artificial intelligence becomes 'highly aggressive' when stressed. Skynet, anyone? - Mirror.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence Enters The Classroom - News One [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- John Pisarek Talks Artificial Intelligence - Customer Think [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Can Artificial Intelligence Predict Earthquakes? - Scientific American [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Artificial Intelligence Is Becoming A Major Disruptive Force In Banks' Finance Departments - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]