16
POPSThe questions facing our generation ' would it be so bad if the human race was slightly improved? What if a relatively simple procedure could make an individual and his or her offspring more compassionate, intelligent and thoughtful? Currently scientists are using gene therapy in an attempt to wipe out disease, but what if we could save many more lives by wiping out war instead though engineering humans to be less bloodthirsty, hateful and narrow-minded?
22
POPS10 Important Differences Between Brains and Computers "These differences may be crucial to understanding the mechanisms of neural information processing, and ultimately for the creation of artificial intelligence. Below, I review the most important of these differences (and the consequences to cognitive psychology of failing to recognize them)".
12
POPS"Supercomputers could revolutionize science more profoundly than at any time since Galileo" Supercomputing has made huge advances over the last decade or so, gradually packing on the ability to handle more and more data points in increasingly complex ways. It has enabled scientists to test theories, design experiments and predict outcomes as never before. But now, the new class of petaflop-scale machines is poised to bring about major qualitative changes in the way science is done. "The new capability allows you to do fundamentally new physics and tackle new problems," said Thomas Zacharia, who heads up computer science at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee"And it will accelerate the transition from basic research to applied technology
17
POPSArtificial Intelligence - The future of AI is here If your definition of artificial intelligence is a humanoid robot that can walk, talk, and chew gum then AI hasn't yet delivered on its promise. But just wait. AI researchers are making major strides in developing machines that can perform human functions. Here are some examples.