On
September 25, 2012 in an article called, “A Startup Tries to Make a Better Artificial Brain” from The Huffington Post, Rachel Metz
reported that a machine software called Vicarious is now creating a software
that processes visual information exactly the way a human brain does. The idea
of a neural network, where computers will vision and act out processes exactly
like humans, has been around for decades, but founders say that Vicarious is
more improved with previous techniques. They are hoping that Vicarious will
have a vision system fully developed in the next several years. Cofounder D.
Scott Phoenix says that its software, just like the human brain, learns first by
observing the object and then forming neural connections in response. Moreover,
it can advance to the point where it glances at a dinner plate and clearly
determines how many calories a person is about to consume. Phoenix stated, "Having a visual perception system that works well
would be enormously transformative to anything a person wants to do” (The Huffington Post). He is absolutely
correct because obviously if people are controlled by a well developed computer,
then they can do anything they desire. However, if this form of technology
advances, then human brains will no longer be useful in society. It is
extremely frightening to hear that there is a chance for functions such as, hearing, seeing, and
speaking to be controlled by an artificial brain.
This a topic that can be discussed for hours, but technology has to have its limits. It is unbelievable how far technology has gone in the last 20-30 years. We are not far from perfecting an artificial brain that can function just like a human brain/human. I agree with what you said towards the end, of how human brains will no longer will be useful in society. We would not need humans for anything, once this software is perfected than they will spend time to make the "brain" advanced enough to do things our brains cannot do in our normal states. I strongly believe in technology having its limits, because in the end, creations like this are not going to do us any good in the future. Instead of spending all that money in creating this software, let them do studies and spend their time and money on how we can get our human brains to move forward, and do things we never thought we would be able to do.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is great for modern and future technology, to hear that we are improving as we go. But, there are some things in this world that we just do not need, this is a perfect example of something unnecessary and extremely unnatural. In my honest opinion, I think that the researcher should look forward to advancing ourselves and to leave the idea of an artificial brain aside,I am positive that many religious figures would be furious and will think of it unacceptable. How many calories in a dish is really not that important and is useless. I fear that if something like this is created, there can be a negative aspect to it such as violence. If someone where to kill the person with the artificial brain, would that be considered murder or would it mean nothing since the person is not actually alive?
ReplyDeleteTechnology has both its good and bad side. I believe that this article would fall into the bad category of technology. Technology is useful in many ways to help people or to make tasks easier for them, not to create a brain that we already have as naturally born people. If Vicarious continues with its plan to create a human brain, then it will become completely unnatural and make human beings look insignificant. What is the point in living if you have an artificial brain anyways?
ReplyDeleteI tend to read articles pertaining to technological advancements in glee; but during this article I failed to do so. Yes, having advancements is one way of adapting to the human world and thriving as human beings. However, it saddens me that valuable assets of humans will soon be obsolete- or at least I hope not. This terrifies me, because one characteristic that differentiates us from the rest of the world, and makes us unique, is the way we perceive and think. I am extremely proud that people now hold the capability to invent such a creation; but I certainly do not want inventors to misuse or abuse technology. Nevertheless, this article was a bitter-sweet one. Excellent job, Kristine!
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