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Swarm of aquatic robots learns to cooperate

All the disparate elements that will likely be needed to create a true, strong AI are finally coming together now, double time!


Aquatic surface robot (credit: Biomachines Lab)

Portuguese researchers have demonstrated the first swarm of intelligent aquatic surface robots in a real-world environment.

Swarms of aquatic robots have the potential to scale to hundreds or thousands of robots and cover large areas, making them ideal for tasks such as environmental monitoring, search and rescue, and maritime surveillance. They can replace expensive manned vessels and can put the crew out of danger in many maritime missions.

“Swarm robotics is a paradigm shift: we rely on many small, simple and inexpensive robots, instead of a single or a few large, complex and expensive robots,” said Anders Christensen, Ph.D., the principal investigator in the project.

Head of Google Search retires, artificial intelligence chief to take over

Very sad to see Amit leave; wonderful man and leader. John taking over Search Engine makes perfect sense since AI is predominantly about information, scanning the net and absorbing info like a sponge to make predictive analysis and decisions from the information available to it. Plus, you add the capabilities to assess people’s search and net activities to the mix; AI is about predicting a person’s mind and habits/ interests. So, merging AI and Search totally make sense and probably was already happening anyway given other press releases.


With Amit Singhal leaving, Google is reportedly merging the AI and search divisions.

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Will Robots Make Humans Unnecessary?

Good article. Robots taking over the world? No. All human workers replaced by a robot? No Will humans need enhancements to keep up with technology or do certain positions/ careers? Yes.


As robotics and artificial intelligence continue to accelerate in their development, there will be a dwindling number of jobs that machines won’t handle better than humans. How should we prepare for an economy that no longer needs us?

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WE’RE STUCK! Teaches Maths to Children Using Cutting Edge Neuroscience

To all parents and techers out there: here is a great program for the kids.


A brand new interactive theatre show for 8–11 year olds, We’re Stuck! takes children on a fun adventure with scientists and robots which could change their whole attitude to maths. Inspired by the extraordinary abilities and limitations of our brains, award-winning theatre-maker Sarah Punshon uses the latest educational neuroscience to tackle how utterly rubbish our brains can be. Ever got terribly stuck on a problem? Ever made a stupid mistake and felt like a fool? Then this show is for you.

Young adventurers will go on a special tour deep into the heart of Volcano Industries where they meet cutting edge scientists struggling with some unusual and extremely tricky problems in their top-secret research laboratory. In a promenade performance, the ridiculous heroes and the brave young audience go on a voyage of discovery, pitching themselves against ludicrously difficult tasks, getting horribly stuck, and risking total failure. It’ll be fun.

WARNING: May contain robots.

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“Some scientists refer to this as the Singularity. I call it Transcendence.”

http://www.transcendencemovie.com/

Dr. Will Caster: “For 130,000 years, our capacity for reason has remained unchanged. The combined intellect of the neuroscientists, engineers, mathematicians and hackers in this auditorium pales in comparison to even the most basic AI. Once online, a sentient machine will quickly overcome the limits of biology. And in a short time, its analytical power will be greater than the collective intelligence of every person born in the history of the world. So now imagine such an entity with the full range of human emotion. Even self-awareness. Some scientists refer to this as ‘the Singularity’. I call it ’Transcendence’. The path to building such a super-intelligence requires us to unlock the most fundamental secrets of the universe. What is the nature of consciousness? Is there a soul? And if so, where does it reside?”

Luddite: “Dr. Caster.”

Dr. Will Caster: “Yes, sir? You have a question?”

Luddite: “So you want to create a God? Your own God?”

Dr. Will Caster: “That’s a very good question. Um… Isn’t that what man has always done?”

Robot drills electrodes into British teen’s brain, cures epilepsy

A British teenager has become the first child in the UK to be cured of epilepsy by a robot that drilled deep into his brain.

Billy Whitaker, 15, had suffered daily seizures for seven years until the operation two weeks ago, which medical experts are convinced has cured him.

The procedure used a £350,000 ($503,455) robot, practically the same as those used on car factory production lines, to drill electrodes into Whitaker’s brain.

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Futurologist Dr Ian Pearson says technology is causing humans to ‘evolve’

I still get a kick out of these types of articles because it is the classic “Fear of the Unknown” getting folks worked up. A) we don’t have enough information to confirm or not confirm whether humans will totally disappear and morph into a half Human and half machine species. B) it doesn’t scare me at all because I will make the choice if I decide that I want or need an implant. And, if I do, then more than likely it was to help me beat a disease like cancer or to enrich my life somehow just like I would opt for a surgery or procedure today. Nothing more.

However, there is one thing that is certain and that is Quantum Technology itself is going to truly transform everything in our lives. And, I mean EVERYTHING (medical/ healthcare, manufacturing, AI, devices, communications, services, raw materials enrichment, etc.).


Ipswich-based Futurologist Dr Ian Pearson has explained how technology will impact on our evolution, such as the rise of Homo optimus — and how it could affect our pets’.

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