In lesson 1 Alan Turing discussed a relationship between machines and intelligence. He wrote a paper on it in 1950 and now 64 years later what he believed to have happen, has. When introduced to this topic the first thing I thought of was Siri. To those who aren’t aware of what Siri is, it’s the intelligent personal assistant for iPhone users. In the video we watched for class the computer was having a conversation with the user, which is one of the things Siri does. She also researches or identifies information online for her user. Machines and intelligence have created a strong relationship that can now be used in hand held technology.
As an iPhone user I have experienced Siri and have even entertained myself by having a conversation with her. I was intrigued after watching a video on YouTube Funniest Siri Questions and Answers, Top 10 where a man asked Siri 10 funny questions. Her responses are vast and seem to change depending on the owner. My Siri was able to identify my name once programed and can research and respond to all my random questions efficiently. Also, when I’m unsure of what I am looking for Siri can help or correct me to accurately find what I am searching for.
Computers and humans both retain information and Siri retorts her response accurately to whatever is said to her. Apple has established a way to have Siri respond as a person. She is even able to tell half jokes as well as identify inappropriate language. She is updated constantly and adapts to well to her environment.
The gap between machines and intelligence have become smaller and smaller. They are helping our country flourish. Outside of the iPhone, computer intelligence can be found in other phones, computers as well as robots. Machines and intelligence will continue to progress in the future and express much more than ever anticipated. I look forward to the future and how intelligence and machine get stronger, I just hope it doesn’t end up like the movie iRobot.
Martinique,
First, I want to start off by saying what a great blog article that you posted! I completely agree with everything said in your blog. The gap between machines and intelligence has significantly decreased to the point where there is almost no gap anymore. Like stated, Siri is a computer assistant for iphone users whose answers are specifically customized to the owner of the phone. Siri is a benefit in being hands free that you can talk to and don’t need to type if you’re in a situation with your hands full. I also look at this machine vs. intelligence from a business standpoint for the future of businesses. The computer system machines and programs that are out there for production are unbelievable. The tasks that these computers can perform in such a quick time, with little difficulty are at levels that humans would never be able to do on their own. Computer programs help managers keep track of all their important information and organize finances, employee scheduling, etc. In the production process, computer systems can increase productivity by 5-10x the amount that could be achieved by humans because they can produce automated machines to complete the tasks in a quick programmed assembly line fashion.
Using things such as computers and the now intelligent personal assistant of the iphone named Siri are great metaphors for how the mind works. Don’t get me wrong they are great tools at times but sometimes machines can be detrimental to our intelligence. I believe that with the emergence of devices such as computers, tablets, cell phones, Siri and more some of us have become less intelligent now than we were without them. For example, before I started using electronics I had to take a more active role in finding the answers to some of the questions that I had. I had to actually read through encyclopedias, books, articles, etc. to find the answers to some of my questions. Following that I had to write my assignments by hand to be turned in. Now all I have to do is type in a few keywords on the computer and type my assignment in word were spelling and grammar mistakes are automatically fixed. Ask me today to go back to the way I was doing things before electronics were invented and I can’t. Encyclopedias are extinct, public libraries are less common, hard copies are now e-books, and every university or professional job wants its submissions typed. My intelligence is challenged if I try to write without the use of a machines or help from Siri. I make so many mistakes and have no idea how to fix them if I don’t refer back to a computer for help. I feel as if machines are taking away some of my intellect because now I don’t have to think anymore if I don’t want to, I can just ask Siri to do the thinking for me. With that being said if I ever have children during their development I will defiantly limit their machine/electronic use and take a more concerted cultivated approach to child rearing.
Looking back on how far the world has advanced in technology through out the last few decades is absolutely amazing. One of the first fully functional digital computers name ENIAC which was completed in 1946 J Prespert Eckert and John Mauchly at the University of Pennsylvania, it took up a large room and weighed approximately 27 tons (Lerner). Can you imagine that? I know I can’t. Just a mere 68 years later we are now walking around with a computer that fits in our pockets. I’m sure if you would have told that to early inventors they would have thought you were crazy. According to research completed by the firm Frank N. Magid Associates, they found that smart phone users had increased to 74% of the population (Sagahian, 2013). That means almost 3/4ths of the population is walking around a little computer at their fingertips. The relationship that Turing discusses between a computer and a person’s mind is very insightful. The similarities and differences in the metaphor were interesting to read in the first lesson. Like you, I am an iPhone user and have played around with the Siri application as well. It amazes me how easily a computer can be programmed to fit your needs. Our phones now can be programmed to say our names, recognize our voices, use fingerprint technology to gain access, and most importantly, to have the entire internet in the palm of our hands. We can obtain so much knowledge from our searches on our phones and computers, its truly incredible. When we complete a search on a computer is goes through multiple steps and departments just like how our brain processes the information. The advancements that we had make and are making are very exciting for our future. Technology helps not only our everyday lives become easier but also helps with medical advancements too. It’s an interesting world we live in, adapting and changing every day. You provided a good example and connection between Turing’s paper and how technology is used in our every day lives.
Lerner, E. (n.d.). Penn: The First Computer at Penn: ENIAC. Retrieved October 12, 2014. http://www.upenn.edu/spotlights/first-computer-penn-eniac
Sagahian, J. (2013, October 16). Study: U.S. Smartphone Penetration Is at 74 Percent. Retrieved October 12, 2014, from http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/study-u-s-smartphone-penetration-is-at-74-percent.html/