Artificial intelligence application

What we can do with AI

We have been studying this issue of AI application for quite some time now and know all the terms and facts. But what we all really need to know is what can we do to get our hands on some AI today. How can we as individuals use our own technology? We hope to discuss this in depth (but as briefly as possible) so that you the consumer can use AI as it is intended.

First, we should be prepared for a change. Our conservative ways stand in the way of progress. AI is a new step that is very helpful to the society. Machines can do jobs that require detailed instructions followed and mental alertness. AI with its learning capabilities can accomplish those tasks but only if the worlds conservatives are ready to change and allow this to be a possibility. It makes us think about how early man finally accepted the wheel as a good invention, not something taking away from its heritage or tradition.

Secondly, we must be prepared to learn about the capabilities of AI. The more use we get out of the machines the less work is required by us. In turn less injuries and stress to human beings. Human beings are a species that learn by trying, and we must be prepared to give AI a chance seeing AI as a blessing, not an inhibition.

Finally, we need to be prepared for the worst of AI. Something as revolutionary as AI is sure to have many kinks to work out. There is always that fear that if AI is learning based, will machines learn that being rich and successful is a good thing, then wage war against economic powers and famous people? There are so many things that can go wrong with a new system so we must be as prepared as we can be for this new technology.

However, even though the fear of the machines are there, their capabilities are infinite Whatever we teach AI, they will suggest in the future if a positive outcome arrives from it. AI are like children that need to be taught to be kind, well mannered, and intelligent. If they are to make important decisions, they should be wise. We as citizens need to make sure AI programmers are keeping things on the level. We should be sure they are doing the job correctly, so that no future accidents occur.
AIAI Teaching Computers Computers

Does this sound a little Redundant? Or maybe a little redundant? Well just sit back and let me explain. The Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute has many project that they are working on to make their computers learn how to operate themselves with less human input. To have more functionality with less input is an operation for AI technology. I will discuss just two of these projects: AUSDA and EGRESS.

AUSDA is a program which will exam software to see if it is capable of handling the tasks you need performed. If it isn't able or isn't reliable AUSDA will instruct you on finding alternative software which would better suit your needs. According to AIAI, the software will try to provide solutions to problems like "identifying the root causes of incidents in which the use of computer software is involved, studying different software development approaches, and identifying aspects of these which are relevant to those root causes producing guidelines for using and improving the development approaches studied, and providing support in the integration of these approaches, so that they can be better used for the development and maintenance of safety critical software."

Sure, for the computer buffs this program is a definitely good news. But what about the average person who think the mouse is just the computers foot pedal? Where do they fit into computer technology. Well don't worry guys, because us nerds are looking out for you too! Just ask AIAI what they have for you and it turns up the EGRESS is right down your alley. This is a program which is studying human reactions to accidents. It is trying to make a model of how peoples reactions in panic moments save lives. Although it seems like in tough situations humans would fall apart and have no idea what to do, it is in fact the opposite. Quick Decisions are usually made and are effective but not flawless. These computer models will help rescuers make smart decisions in time of need. AI can't be positive all the time but can suggest actions which we can act out and therefor lead to safe rescues.

So AIAI is teaching computers to be better computers and better people. AI technology will never replace man but can be an extension of our body which allows us to make more rational decisions faster. And with Institutes like AIAI- we continue each stay to step forward into progress.
No worms in these Apples

by Adam Dyess

Apple Computers may not have ever been considered as the state of art in Artificial Intelligence, but a second look should be given. Not only are today's PC's becoming more powerful but AI influence is showing up in them. From Macros to Voice Recognition technology, PC's are becoming our talking buddies. Who else would go surfing with you on short notice- even if it is the net. Who else would care to tell you that you have a business appointment scheduled at 8:35 and 28 seconds and would notify you about it every minute till you told it to shut up. Even with all the abuse we give today's PC's they still plug away to make us happy. We use PC's more not because they do more or are faster but because they are getting so much easier to use. And their ease of use comes from their use of AI.

All Power Macintoshes come with Speech Recognition. That's right- you tell the computer to do what you want without it having to learn your voice. This implication of AI in Personal computers is still very crude but it does work given the correct conditions to work in and a clear voice. Not to mention the requirement of at least 16Mgs of RAM for quick use. Also Apple's Newton and other hand held note pads have Script recognition. Cursive or Print can be recognized by these notepad sized devices. With the pen that accompanies your silicon note pad you can write a little note to yourself which magically changes into computer text if desired. No more complaining about sloppy written reports if your computer can read your handwriting. If it can't read it though- perhaps in the future, you can correct it by dictating your letters instead.

Macros provide a huge stress relief as your computer does faster what you could do more tediously. Macros are old but they are to an extent, Intelligent. You have taught the computer to do something only by doing it once. In businesses, many times applications are upgraded. But the files must be converted. All of the businesses records but be changed into the new software's type. Macros save the work of conversion of hundred of files by a human by teaching the computer to mimic the actions of the programmer. Thus teaching the computer a task that it can repeat whenever ordered to do so.

AI is all around us all but get ready for a change. But don't think the change will be harder on us because AI has been developed to make our lives easier.
The Scope of Expert Systems
As stated in the 'approaches' section, an expert system is able to do the work of a professional. Moreover, a computer system can be trained quickly, has virtually no operating cost, never forgets what it learns, never calls in sick, retires, or goes on vacation. Beyond those, intelligent computers can consider a large amount of information that may not be considered by humans.

But to what extent should these systems replace human experts? Or, should they at all? For example, some people once considered an intelligent computer as a possible substitute for human control over nuclear weapons, citing that a computer could respond more quickly to a threat. And many AI developers were afraid of the possibility of programs like Eliza, the psychiatrist and the bond that humans were making with the computer. We cannot, however, over look the benefits of having a computer expert. Forecasting the weather, for example, relies on many variables, and a computer expert can more accurately pool all of its knowledge. Still a computer cannot rely on the hunches of a human expert, which are sometimes necessary in predicting an outcome.

In conclusion, in some fields such as forecasting weather or finding bugs in computer software, expert systems are sometimes more accurate than humans. But for other fields, such as medicine, computers aiding doctors will be beneficial, but the human doctor should not be replaced. Expert systems have the power and range to aid to benefit, and in some cases replace humans, and computer experts, if used with discretion, will benefit human kind.

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