We’ve all seen or read the science fiction stories about artificial intelligence—where a computer becomes almost human. Well, it’s closer than you think.
Not Just Science Fiction Anymore
We currently experience voice recognition searches via applications such as Siri, as well as well-developed interactive programs using cloud hosting services. Through several “brain-inspired” computer programs, the technology world is developing and introducing many applications that use the human brain as a model. Here’s a brief look a just a few of them.
Weapons Inspired by the Brain
Driving computers even closer to artificial intelligence is DARPA’s Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics (SyNAPSE) program. While that is quite a mouthful, the premise is rather simple. The developers wanted to create a neuromorphic electronic system that will have functions that look and act much like that of the brain. Applications for this system include manned and robotic systems, and image processing.
This technology is being developed primarily to enable today’s battlefield specialists to use computer systems and electronics to collect and process information. This will allow humans to process the correct responses in complex wartime scenarios.
Image Recognition Software
Two British scientists—Drs. Jeffrey Ng and Anil Bharath—developed technology that allows a computer to see. Believe it or not, this technology is already being used. Using this technology, consumers are given the opportunity to view past purchases. In addition, this technology is being used by companies to more effectively advertise their products.
Created by Cortexica Vision Search, the first offering of this type of image recognition software has given consumers WINEfindr. This app allows consumers an interactive experience by photographing a wine label on their smartphones. The results are presented in images, thus using the image recognition part of this application.
Computer Chips That Mimic The Brain
Computer chips are basically what drives computers. And now, researchers at MIT have created a computer chip that mimics the synapses of the human brain. Originally used to study how the neurons of the brain can strengthen over time, the scientists are now studying ways to use these chips as part of brain-machine interfaces. These types of interfaces will be used primarily to control artificial limbs; however, the scientists eventually would like to use them to actually build prosthetic brain parts to help brain-damaged individuals.
As you can see, brain-related computers and software are no longer a futuristic, science fiction theory. In fact, you can probably find a program or two that you are using right now.
