By. Kristen Collins, Staff Writer
The world of technology is advancing in leaps and bounds, where science fiction may be closer to reality than ever before. A time filled in discovery and innovations, the 21st century is on a roll that seems to have no ending, especially in the field of computer programming. Specifically pertaining to Google, computer scientists have been able to create an artificial intelligence known as DeepMind. With such advancements, Google is using this research to make a whole new line of technological progression.
DeepMind is a computer prototype created to mimic the human mind, the most complex part of the human anatomy. It was created in 2011 and founded by Demis Hassibis, Shane Legg, and Mustafa Suleyman. By 2014, DeepMind Technology was brought into Google to further the development. Designing algorithms and neutral networking to best replicate the complexities of human memory and organization, the overall design comes from the in-depth research made by an American cognitive psychologist, George Miller. His studies on short-term memory and its capacities enable computer scientists of today to find ways in which to mimic the human brain. The prototype is one of the first steps to building the fantastical AI systems that could rival the fictional world.
Since games are becoming such an integral part of today’s society, the scientists started their AI testing on its ability to play the old-school ATARI games. Out of a total of forty-nine games, DeepMind excelled and passed human scores on twenty-two of them, which can be pretty scary when thinking that this is just an AI prototype still with a lot of development ahead of it. At the moment DeepMind is able to succeed in basic games such as “Pinball” and other prediction games with very basic rules and limited possible movements. On the other hand, it cannot accomplish games with free-thought and multiple possibilities like the ATARI game “Private Eye.” During this stage in research, the artificial intelligence is developing on the premise of learning and experiencing the world, much like a child would with trial-and-error.
Along with researching the possibility of replicating the human brain with the use of algorithms and complex formulas, Google is also looking into putting this self-learning technology into the future of cars. So far Google has made cars that drive themselves, testing them for hundreds of thousands of miles, but with the stipulations of these test runs going to a specific place with painstakingly detailed maps. With the emergence of AI, the possibility of expanding outside of such a controlled environment may be getting closer and closer. With more testing beginning for DeepMind to take on the 3D world outside of ATARI, the possibilities of progress begins. Researchers are beginning to not only put memory capacity and self-learning abilities into DeepMind, they are even creating complex algorithms sequencing decision-making abilities.
If all of these ideas come into fruition, DeepMind will not just be an artificial intelligence that can play games and drive cars, but become a mind of its own without the limitations of human mortality. Algorithms mimicking nerve transmitters, ROM representing memory, and a whole slew of outcomes await the DeepMind prototype. No crazy robot invasions seems to be on Earth’s horizon yet but with the swiftness of technological advances, there is no telling how close or far away such a thing will be in the future. If the brain can indeed be replicated through technology, what does this hold for the rest of the world? A great benefit to the human race? The robotic uprising and liberation from humanity like many sci-fi films past and present? The Terminator? Gladios? Only the future can tell.
