In a new film, leading Cambridge ֱ̽ researchers discuss the far-reaching advances offered by artificial intelligence – and considerthe consequences of developing systems that think far beyond human abilities.
In a new film, leading Cambridge ֱ̽ researchers discuss the far-reaching advances offered by artificial intelligence – and considerthe consequences of developing systems that think far beyond human abilities.
ֱ̽idea that AI can help us understand ourselves and the universe at a much deeper level is about as far reaching a goal for AI as could be
Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh
We are said to be standing on the brink of a fourth industrial revolution – one that will see new forms of artificial intelligence (AI) underpinning almost every aspect of our lives. ֱ̽new technologies will help us to tackle some of the greatest challenges that face our world.
In fact AI is already very much part of our daily lives, says, one of theexperts who appear in the film.“Clever algorithms are being executed in clever ways all around us... and we are only a decade away from a future where we are able to converse across multiple languages, where doctors will be able to diagnose better, where drivers will be able to drive more safely.”
Ideas around AI “are being dreamt up by thousands of people all over the world –imaginative young people who see a problem and think about how they can solve it using AI… whether it’s recommending a song you’ll like or curing us of cancer,” says .
Much of the excitement relates to being able to leverage the power of Big Data, says . Without AI, how else could we make sense of the vastly complex interconnected systems we now have at our fingertips?
But what do we think about AI and the future it promises? Our perceptions are shaped by our cultural prehistory, stretching right back to Homer, says . How we feel about the dawning of a new technology is linked to centuries-old thinking about robotics, automatons and intelligence beyond our own.
And what happens when we come to rely on the tools we are empowering to do these amazing things? reflects on the transition to a future of AI-aided jobs: what will this look like? How will we ensure that the wealth created by AI will benefitwider society and avoidworsening inequality?
Our researchers are asking fundamental questions about the ethics, trust and humanity of AI system design. “It can’t simply be enough for the leading scientists as brilliant as they are to be pushing ahead as quickly as possible,” says . “We also need there to be ongoing conversations and collaborations with the people who are thinking about the ethical impacts of the technology.
“ ֱ̽idea that AI can help us understand ourselves and the universe at a much deeper level is about as far reaching a goal for AI as could be.”
Inset image: read more about our AI research in the ֱ̽'s research magazine; download; on Issuu.
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