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DailyDirt: Computers Are Getting To Know You, Getting To Know All About You...

from the urls-we-dig-up dept

Wed, Jun 22nd 2011 5:00pm — Michael Ho

One of the complaints for artificial intelligence advocates is that the goal posts for strong AI seem to be constantly pushed forward -- so that chess-playing programs are no longer considered a valid demonstration of intelligence and none of the achievements of AI so far are regarded as progress towards a silicon-based analog of human intelligence. But the field of artificial intelligence has made significant progress, and here are just a few examples of some interesting AI projects.

Google is sponsoring an AI project to develop an algorithm for minimizing regret in decision-making. So basically, it'll spit out advice like: "the only way to win is not to play" and "liquor before beer." [url]
Researchers from New Jersey have a gender-analysis algorithm that tries to determine an author's gender (male/female/neuter) from just 50 words of text he/she writes. And the researchers are preparing to set this algorithm loose on Twitter and Facebook updates. [url]
DARPA is looking to create a C3PO-like robot to translate various languages for soldiers. It won't actually walk around, but it will be annoying and cowardly... [url]
To discover more interesting AI-related content, check out what's currently floating around the StumbleUpon universe. [url]

By the way, StumbleUpon can recommend some good Techdirt articles, too.

Filed Under: ai, algorithm, c3po, translation
Companies: darpa, google

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Rekrul, 22 Jun 2011 @ 5:24pm

So basically, it'll spit out advice like: "the only way to win is not to play" and "liquor before beer."

"A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?"
- Joshua/W.O.P.R.
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Michael Ho (profile), 22 Jun 2011 @ 5:37pm

Re:
Thanks for the exact quote, Rekrul!

Now who originally said, "liquor before beer, you're in the clear. Beer before liquor, never sicker"...?
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Pixelation, 22 Jun 2011 @ 6:41pm

Re: Re:
Will the algorithm warn you that once you shoot your wad you are going to wish you were somewhere else with someone else?

I went to bed at 2 with a 10 and woke up at 10 with a 2.

As for the other algorithm, don't they mean; male/female/gay?
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Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 22 Jun 2011 @ 7:03pm

�Thinking Is Whatever Computers Cannot Do�
I remember a definition like that from an AI class once. Of course, it just flipped the question from �can computers think?� to �can humans think?� ...
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Jun 2011 @ 8:59pm

Nice article on the state of hacking-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jun/06/us-hackers-fbi-informer
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Mike Masnick (profile), 23 Jun 2011 @ 2:13am

Re: Re:
Now who originally said, "liquor before beer, you're in the clear. Beer before liquor, never sicker"...?

I always thought it was "liquor before beer, never fear. Beer before liquor, never sicker"

That seems to have more symmetry too.
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Jose_X, 23 Jun 2011 @ 7:59am

Re: Re: Re:
>> As for the other algorithm

I'm curious to know if I will be something like male with a 53.62% probability.

In any case, such a program can be used to help train yourself to sound like someone else.
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Michael Ho (profile), 23 Jun 2011 @ 9:56am

Re: Re: Re:
http://www.quora.com/Is-the-expression-Liquor-before-beer-youre-in-the-clear-Beer-before-liquor-neve r-been-sicker-true

Hmm. It's either that, or "you're in the clear ... never *been* sicker" ..? I suppose "never fear" sounds better, but I've heard it both ways.

Still, where did this expression come from?
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Jeff Rife, 24 Jun 2011 @ 10:53am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I don't know where the saying came from, but it sounds like a great idea for a Mythbusters episode.
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