Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195374049
- eISBN:
- 9780199871889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195374049.003.0004
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
The chapter begins with an overview of philosophy of technology to provide a context for the specific concerns raised by the prospect of artificial moral agents. Some concerns, such as whether ...
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The chapter begins with an overview of philosophy of technology to provide a context for the specific concerns raised by the prospect of artificial moral agents. Some concerns, such as whether artificial moral agents will lead humans to abrogate responsibility to machines, seem particularly pressing. Other concerns, such as the prospect of humans becoming literally enslaved to machines, seem highly speculative. The unsolved problem of technology risk assessment is how heavily to weigh catastrophic possibilities against the advantages provided by new technologies. When should the precautionary principle be invoked? Historically, philosophers of technology have served as external critics, but increasingly philosophers are engaged in engineering activism, bringing sensitivity to human values into the design of systems. Human anthropomorphism of robotic dolls, robopets, household robots, companion robots, sex toys, and even military robots raises questions of whether these artifacts dehumanize people and substitute impoverished relationships for real human interactions.Less
The chapter begins with an overview of philosophy of technology to provide a context for the specific concerns raised by the prospect of artificial moral agents. Some concerns, such as whether artificial moral agents will lead humans to abrogate responsibility to machines, seem particularly pressing. Other concerns, such as the prospect of humans becoming literally enslaved to machines, seem highly speculative. The unsolved problem of technology risk assessment is how heavily to weigh catastrophic possibilities against the advantages provided by new technologies. When should the precautionary principle be invoked? Historically, philosophers of technology have served as external critics, but increasingly philosophers are engaged in engineering activism, bringing sensitivity to human values into the design of systems. Human anthropomorphism of robotic dolls, robopets, household robots, companion robots, sex toys, and even military robots raises questions of whether these artifacts dehumanize people and substitute impoverished relationships for real human interactions.
Robert Geraci
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195393026
- eISBN:
- 9780199777136
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195393026.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
The hope that we might one day upload our minds into robots and, eventually, cyberspace has become commonplace and now affects life across a broad spectrum of western culture. Popular science books ...
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The hope that we might one day upload our minds into robots and, eventually, cyberspace has become commonplace and now affects life across a broad spectrum of western culture. Popular science books on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) by Hans Moravec, Ray Kurzweil, and others argue that one day advances in robotics, AI and neurobiology will enable us to copy our conscious selves into machines, which will take over the cosmos and live eternally in a perfect world of supremely intelligent Mind. Such views borrow from the apocalyptic traditions of Judaism and Christianity and influence the politics of research grants, life in online virtual reality environments, and conversations within philosophical, legal and theological circles. Apocalyptic AI is important to scientific research because it promotes public and private funding for robotics and AI. In addition, residents of the online world Second Life have adopted it as a worldview that gives meaning to their activities and many already wish to live in Second Life or a similar environment forever, just as Moravec and Kurzweil promise they will. Finally, several of the claims of Apocalyptic AI have become a serious topic of debate for philosophers of mind, legal scholars and theologians. The successful integration of religion, science and technology in Apocalyptic AI creates a powerful worldview with considerable influence in modern life and challenges many of our long held assumptions about the relationship between religion and science.Less
The hope that we might one day upload our minds into robots and, eventually, cyberspace has become commonplace and now affects life across a broad spectrum of western culture. Popular science books on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) by Hans Moravec, Ray Kurzweil, and others argue that one day advances in robotics, AI and neurobiology will enable us to copy our conscious selves into machines, which will take over the cosmos and live eternally in a perfect world of supremely intelligent Mind. Such views borrow from the apocalyptic traditions of Judaism and Christianity and influence the politics of research grants, life in online virtual reality environments, and conversations within philosophical, legal and theological circles. Apocalyptic AI is important to scientific research because it promotes public and private funding for robotics and AI. In addition, residents of the online world Second Life have adopted it as a worldview that gives meaning to their activities and many already wish to live in Second Life or a similar environment forever, just as Moravec and Kurzweil promise they will. Finally, several of the claims of Apocalyptic AI have become a serious topic of debate for philosophers of mind, legal scholars and theologians. The successful integration of religion, science and technology in Apocalyptic AI creates a powerful worldview with considerable influence in modern life and challenges many of our long held assumptions about the relationship between religion and science.
Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195374049
- eISBN:
- 9780199871889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195374049.003.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
The development of military robots deployed on the battlefield and service robots in the home underscore the need for artificial moral agents. However, autonomous bots within existing computer ...
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The development of military robots deployed on the battlefield and service robots in the home underscore the need for artificial moral agents. However, autonomous bots within existing computer systems are already making decisions that affect humans for good or for bad. The topic of (ro)bot (a spelling that represents both robots and software bots within computer systems) morality has been explored in science fiction by authors such as Isaac Asimov with his three laws of robotics, in television shows such as Star Trek, and in various Hollywood movies. However, the project of this book is not science fiction. Rather, current developments in computer science and robotics necessitate the project of building artificial moral agents. The preface places machine morality in the context of philosophical ethics and other sources of moral principles, and outlines the chapters for the remainder of the book.Less
The development of military robots deployed on the battlefield and service robots in the home underscore the need for artificial moral agents. However, autonomous bots within existing computer systems are already making decisions that affect humans for good or for bad. The topic of (ro)bot (a spelling that represents both robots and software bots within computer systems) morality has been explored in science fiction by authors such as Isaac Asimov with his three laws of robotics, in television shows such as Star Trek, and in various Hollywood movies. However, the project of this book is not science fiction. Rather, current developments in computer science and robotics necessitate the project of building artificial moral agents. The preface places machine morality in the context of philosophical ethics and other sources of moral principles, and outlines the chapters for the remainder of the book.
Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195374049
- eISBN:
- 9780199871889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195374049.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
Artificial moral agents are necessary and inevitable. Innovative technologies are converging on sophisticated systems that will require some capacity for moral decision making. With the ...
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Artificial moral agents are necessary and inevitable. Innovative technologies are converging on sophisticated systems that will require some capacity for moral decision making. With the implementation of driverless trains, the “trolley cases” invented by ethicists to study moral dilemmas may represent actual challenges for artificial moral agents. Among the difficult tasks for designers of such systems is to specify what the goals should be, i.e. what is meant by a “good” artificial moral agent? Computer viruses are among the software agents that already cause harm. Credit card approval systems are among the examples of autonomous systems that already affect daily life in ethically significant ways but are “ethically blind” because they lack moral decision‐making capacities. Pervasive and ubiquitous computing, the introduction of service robots in the home to care for the elderly, and the deployment of machine‐gun‐carrying military robots expand the possibilities of software and robots without sensitivity to ethical considerations harming people.Less
Artificial moral agents are necessary and inevitable. Innovative technologies are converging on sophisticated systems that will require some capacity for moral decision making. With the implementation of driverless trains, the “trolley cases” invented by ethicists to study moral dilemmas may represent actual challenges for artificial moral agents. Among the difficult tasks for designers of such systems is to specify what the goals should be, i.e. what is meant by a “good” artificial moral agent? Computer viruses are among the software agents that already cause harm. Credit card approval systems are among the examples of autonomous systems that already affect daily life in ethically significant ways but are “ethically blind” because they lack moral decision‐making capacities. Pervasive and ubiquitous computing, the introduction of service robots in the home to care for the elderly, and the deployment of machine‐gun‐carrying military robots expand the possibilities of software and robots without sensitivity to ethical considerations harming people.
Robert M. Geraci
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195393026
- eISBN:
- 9780199777136
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195393026.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Apocalyptic AI is a movement that exemplifies the longstanding connection between religion and science in the western world. The movement, based on popular science books by Hans Moravec and Ray ...
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Apocalyptic AI is a movement that exemplifies the longstanding connection between religion and science in the western world. The movement, based on popular science books by Hans Moravec and Ray Kurzweil, shares the theological categories of apocalyptic Judaism and Christianity: a dualistic worldview, a sense of alienation, an expectation of the end of alienation in a transcendent new world, and occupation in the new world in glorified new bodies. Apocalyptic AI is the belief that mind and body struggle with one another in a battle that has so far, inevitably, been won by the body but which will see our minds victorious when we can upload them into cyberspace where we will live forever with virtual bodies.Less
Apocalyptic AI is a movement that exemplifies the longstanding connection between religion and science in the western world. The movement, based on popular science books by Hans Moravec and Ray Kurzweil, shares the theological categories of apocalyptic Judaism and Christianity: a dualistic worldview, a sense of alienation, an expectation of the end of alienation in a transcendent new world, and occupation in the new world in glorified new bodies. Apocalyptic AI is the belief that mind and body struggle with one another in a battle that has so far, inevitably, been won by the body but which will see our minds victorious when we can upload them into cyberspace where we will live forever with virtual bodies.
Robert M. Geraci
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195393026
- eISBN:
- 9780199777136
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195393026.003.0004
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Apocalyptic AI predictions have garnered so much attention that—in combination with rapidly progressing robotic technology—widespread public attention has focused upon how human beings and robots ...
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Apocalyptic AI predictions have garnered so much attention that—in combination with rapidly progressing robotic technology—widespread public attention has focused upon how human beings and robots should and will relate to one another as machines get smarter. The influence of Apocalyptic AI extends to philosophical and scientific discussions about consciousness (especially in arguments over whether machines can or will be conscious), legal scholarship (where the rights of machines are debated) and moral and theological reasoning (in which both AI experts and theologians have considered the moral implications of conscious machines and wondered whether those machines will engage in human religious practice). Far from being irrelevant or easily dismissed as fantasy, Apocalyptic AI and its advocates have become major forces in contemporary culture.Less
Apocalyptic AI predictions have garnered so much attention that—in combination with rapidly progressing robotic technology—widespread public attention has focused upon how human beings and robots should and will relate to one another as machines get smarter. The influence of Apocalyptic AI extends to philosophical and scientific discussions about consciousness (especially in arguments over whether machines can or will be conscious), legal scholarship (where the rights of machines are debated) and moral and theological reasoning (in which both AI experts and theologians have considered the moral implications of conscious machines and wondered whether those machines will engage in human religious practice). Far from being irrelevant or easily dismissed as fantasy, Apocalyptic AI and its advocates have become major forces in contemporary culture.
Jennifer Robertson
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780520283190
- eISBN:
- 9780520959064
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520283190.001.0001
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Asian Cultural Anthropology
Japan is arguably the first postindustrial society to embrace the prospect of human-robot coexistence. Over the past decade, Japanese humanoid robots designed for use in homes, hospitals, offices, ...
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Japan is arguably the first postindustrial society to embrace the prospect of human-robot coexistence. Over the past decade, Japanese humanoid robots designed for use in homes, hospitals, offices, and schools have become celebrated in the global mass media and on social media. Robo sapiens japanicus casts a critical eye on press releases and PR videos that (mis)represent actual robots as being as versatile and agile as their science fiction counterparts. An ethnography and sociocultural history of governmental, academic, and popular discourses of human-robot relations in Japan, this book explores how actual robots—humanoids, androids, animaloids—are “imagineered” in ways that reinforce the conventional sex/gender system and political-economic status quo. The granting of “civil rights” to robots is interrogated in tandem with the notion of human exceptionalism. Similarly, how robots and robotic exoskeletons reinforce a conception of the “normal” body is juxtaposed with a deconstruction of the much-invoked theory of the uncanny valley.Less
Japan is arguably the first postindustrial society to embrace the prospect of human-robot coexistence. Over the past decade, Japanese humanoid robots designed for use in homes, hospitals, offices, and schools have become celebrated in the global mass media and on social media. Robo sapiens japanicus casts a critical eye on press releases and PR videos that (mis)represent actual robots as being as versatile and agile as their science fiction counterparts. An ethnography and sociocultural history of governmental, academic, and popular discourses of human-robot relations in Japan, this book explores how actual robots—humanoids, androids, animaloids—are “imagineered” in ways that reinforce the conventional sex/gender system and political-economic status quo. The granting of “civil rights” to robots is interrogated in tandem with the notion of human exceptionalism. Similarly, how robots and robotic exoskeletons reinforce a conception of the “normal” body is juxtaposed with a deconstruction of the much-invoked theory of the uncanny valley.
Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195374049
- eISBN:
- 9780199871889
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195374049.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
The human‐built environment is increasingly being populated by artificial agents that, through artificial intelligence (AI), are capable of acting autonomously. The software controlling these ...
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The human‐built environment is increasingly being populated by artificial agents that, through artificial intelligence (AI), are capable of acting autonomously. The software controlling these autonomous systems is, to‐date, “ethically blind” in the sense that the decision‐making capabilities of such systems does not involve any explicit moral reasoning. The title Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong refers to the need for these increasingly autonomous systems (robots and software bots) to become capable of factoring ethical and moral considerations into their decision making. The new field of inquiry directed at the development of artificial moral agents is referred to by a number of names including machine morality, machine ethics, roboethics, or artificial morality. Engineers exploring design strategies for systems sensitive to moral considerations in their choices and actions will need to determine what role ethical theory should play in defining control architectures for such systems.Less
The human‐built environment is increasingly being populated by artificial agents that, through artificial intelligence (AI), are capable of acting autonomously. The software controlling these autonomous systems is, to‐date, “ethically blind” in the sense that the decision‐making capabilities of such systems does not involve any explicit moral reasoning. The title Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong refers to the need for these increasingly autonomous systems (robots and software bots) to become capable of factoring ethical and moral considerations into their decision making. The new field of inquiry directed at the development of artificial moral agents is referred to by a number of names including machine morality, machine ethics, roboethics, or artificial morality. Engineers exploring design strategies for systems sensitive to moral considerations in their choices and actions will need to determine what role ethical theory should play in defining control architectures for such systems.
Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195374049
- eISBN:
- 9780199871889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195374049.003.0011
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
The top‐down and bottom‐up approaches to artificial moral agents emphasize the importance in ethics of the ability to reason. However, much of the recent empirical literature on moral psychology ...
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The top‐down and bottom‐up approaches to artificial moral agents emphasize the importance in ethics of the ability to reason. However, much of the recent empirical literature on moral psychology emphasizes faculties besides rationality. Emotions, empathy, sociability, semantic understanding, and consciousness are all important to human moral decision making, but it remains an open question whether these will be essential to artificial moral agents and, if so, whether they can be implemented in machines. This chapter surveys the cutting‐edge scientific investigation in the areas of affective computing and embodied cognition that is aimed at providing computers and robots with the kinds of supra‐rational capacities underlying those social skills which may be essential for sophisticated human‐computer interaction.Less
The top‐down and bottom‐up approaches to artificial moral agents emphasize the importance in ethics of the ability to reason. However, much of the recent empirical literature on moral psychology emphasizes faculties besides rationality. Emotions, empathy, sociability, semantic understanding, and consciousness are all important to human moral decision making, but it remains an open question whether these will be essential to artificial moral agents and, if so, whether they can be implemented in machines. This chapter surveys the cutting‐edge scientific investigation in the areas of affective computing and embodied cognition that is aimed at providing computers and robots with the kinds of supra‐rational capacities underlying those social skills which may be essential for sophisticated human‐computer interaction.
Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195374049
- eISBN:
- 9780199871889
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195374049.003.0013
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
The desirability of computers making moral decisions poses an array of future dangers that are difficult to anticipate but will, nevertheless, need to be monitored and managed. Public policy and ...
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The desirability of computers making moral decisions poses an array of future dangers that are difficult to anticipate but will, nevertheless, need to be monitored and managed. Public policy and mechanisms of social and business liability management will both play a role in the safety, direction, and speed in which artificial intelligent systems are developed. Fear is not likely to stop scientific research, but it is likely that various fears will slow it down. Mechanisms for distinguishing real dangers from speculation and hype fueled by science fiction are needed. This chapter surveys ways of addressing issues of rights and accountability for (ro)bots and touches on topics such as legal personhood, self‐replicating robots, the possibility of a “singularity” at which AI outstrips human intelligence, and the transhumanist movement that sees the future of humanity itself as an inevitable (and desirable) march toward cyborg beings.Less
The desirability of computers making moral decisions poses an array of future dangers that are difficult to anticipate but will, nevertheless, need to be monitored and managed. Public policy and mechanisms of social and business liability management will both play a role in the safety, direction, and speed in which artificial intelligent systems are developed. Fear is not likely to stop scientific research, but it is likely that various fears will slow it down. Mechanisms for distinguishing real dangers from speculation and hype fueled by science fiction are needed. This chapter surveys ways of addressing issues of rights and accountability for (ro)bots and touches on topics such as legal personhood, self‐replicating robots, the possibility of a “singularity” at which AI outstrips human intelligence, and the transhumanist movement that sees the future of humanity itself as an inevitable (and desirable) march toward cyborg beings.
Cynthia Breazeal and Rosalind Picard
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195177619
- eISBN:
- 9780199864683
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195177619.003.0018
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Sensory and Motor Systems, Behavioral Neuroscience
This chapter summarizes ongoing work in developing and embedding affective technologies in learning interactions with automated systems, such robotic learning companions. The primary motivation for ...
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This chapter summarizes ongoing work in developing and embedding affective technologies in learning interactions with automated systems, such robotic learning companions. The primary motivation for building robots with social-emotional-inspired capabilities is to develop “relational robots” and their associated applications in diverse areas such as health, education, or work productivity where the human user derives performance benefit from establishing a kind of social rapport with the robot. The chapter describes some of the future applications for such robots, provides a brief summary of the current capabilities of state-of-the-art socially interactive robots, presents recent findings in human-computer interaction, and concludes with a few challenges that should be addressed in future research.Less
This chapter summarizes ongoing work in developing and embedding affective technologies in learning interactions with automated systems, such robotic learning companions. The primary motivation for building robots with social-emotional-inspired capabilities is to develop “relational robots” and their associated applications in diverse areas such as health, education, or work productivity where the human user derives performance benefit from establishing a kind of social rapport with the robot. The chapter describes some of the future applications for such robots, provides a brief summary of the current capabilities of state-of-the-art socially interactive robots, presents recent findings in human-computer interaction, and concludes with a few challenges that should be addressed in future research.
Shi Hui and Thora Tenbrink
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199554201
- eISBN:
- 9780191721236
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199554201.003.0013
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics, Theoretical Linguistics
This chapter seeks to enable uninformed users to instruct intelligent robots to move towards specific goals via route instructions. Empirical data are used to augment the robot's internal ...
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This chapter seeks to enable uninformed users to instruct intelligent robots to move towards specific goals via route instructions. Empirical data are used to augment the robot's internal representation and to identify conceptual problem areas. A formal dialogue-modelling approach is suggested, supporting the design of robust dialogue systems.Less
This chapter seeks to enable uninformed users to instruct intelligent robots to move towards specific goals via route instructions. Empirical data are used to augment the robot's internal representation and to identify conceptual problem areas. A formal dialogue-modelling approach is suggested, supporting the design of robust dialogue systems.
CYNTHIA BREAZEAL and RODNEY BROOKS
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780195166194
- eISBN:
- 9780199847020
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195166194.003.0010
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience
This chapter examines robot emotions from a functional perspective. It suggests that emotion-inspired mechanisms can improve the way autonomous ...
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This chapter examines robot emotions from a functional perspective. It suggests that emotion-inspired mechanisms can improve the way autonomous robots operate in a human environment with people, and can improve the ability of these robots to effectively achieve their own goals. It describes the design of Kismet, an anthropomorphic robot that can interact with a human in a social way. Kismet's architecture includes a cognitive system that is tightly coupled to a separate emotive system, and each is designed as interacting networks of specialists that are activated when specific conditions are met.Less
This chapter examines robot emotions from a functional perspective. It suggests that emotion-inspired mechanisms can improve the way autonomous robots operate in a human environment with people, and can improve the ability of these robots to effectively achieve their own goals. It describes the design of Kismet, an anthropomorphic robot that can interact with a human in a social way. Kismet's architecture includes a cognitive system that is tightly coupled to a separate emotive system, and each is designed as interacting networks of specialists that are activated when specific conditions are met.
Vinod K. Wadhawan
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199229178
- eISBN:
- 9780191711282
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199229178.001.0001
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
A structure is an assembly that serves an engineering function. A smart structure is one that serves this function smartly, i.e., by responding adaptively in a pre-designed useful and efficient ...
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A structure is an assembly that serves an engineering function. A smart structure is one that serves this function smartly, i.e., by responding adaptively in a pre-designed useful and efficient manner to changing environmental conditions. Smartness is normally associated with living beings, because they have the tendency to adapt themselves to changing situations. Artificial smart structures are designed to mimic biological structures to a small or large extent. This book gives a modern and comprehensive account of how this can be done. Adaptive behaviour of one or more materials constituting a smart structure requires nonlinear response. This book describes the three main types of nonlinear-response materials: ferroic materials, soft materials, and nanostructured materials. Information processing by biological and artificial smart structures is also discussed. A smart structure typically has sensors, actuators, and a control and communication system. Progress in all these aspects of smart structures has leant heavily on mimicking Nature, and the all-important notion in this context has been that of evolution. Artificial Darwinian and Lamarckian evolution holds the key to the development of truly smart structures. Modestly intelligent robots are already on the horizon. Projections about the low-cost availability of adequate computing power and memory size indicate that the future really belongs to smart structures. This book covers in a compact format the entire gamut of concepts relevant to smart structures. It should be of interest to a wide range of students and professionals in science and engineering.Less
A structure is an assembly that serves an engineering function. A smart structure is one that serves this function smartly, i.e., by responding adaptively in a pre-designed useful and efficient manner to changing environmental conditions. Smartness is normally associated with living beings, because they have the tendency to adapt themselves to changing situations. Artificial smart structures are designed to mimic biological structures to a small or large extent. This book gives a modern and comprehensive account of how this can be done. Adaptive behaviour of one or more materials constituting a smart structure requires nonlinear response. This book describes the three main types of nonlinear-response materials: ferroic materials, soft materials, and nanostructured materials. Information processing by biological and artificial smart structures is also discussed. A smart structure typically has sensors, actuators, and a control and communication system. Progress in all these aspects of smart structures has leant heavily on mimicking Nature, and the all-important notion in this context has been that of evolution. Artificial Darwinian and Lamarckian evolution holds the key to the development of truly smart structures. Modestly intelligent robots are already on the horizon. Projections about the low-cost availability of adequate computing power and memory size indicate that the future really belongs to smart structures. This book covers in a compact format the entire gamut of concepts relevant to smart structures. It should be of interest to a wide range of students and professionals in science and engineering.
Vinod K. Wadhawan
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199229178
- eISBN:
- 9780191711282
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199229178.003.0010
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
This chapter on machine intelligence reiterates Hawkins' viewpoint that genuine artificial intelligence can be developed only by emulating the neocortical structure of the mammalian brain. The pros ...
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This chapter on machine intelligence reiterates Hawkins' viewpoint that genuine artificial intelligence can be developed only by emulating the neocortical structure of the mammalian brain. The pros and cons of developing machine intelligence are analysed. The section on smart robots in based mainly on the works of Brooks and Moravec. The evolutionary aspect of distributed machine intelligence in general, and robotics in particular, is described. The projected near-term and long-term applications of intelligent machines are presented briefly. Finally, there is a section on the ‘brave new world of intelligent structures’. Kurzweil's prediction is quoted, according to which, before the end of the present century, humans will be able to coevolve with their intelligent machines via neural transplants that will enable them to upload their carbon-based neural chemistry into the prevailing hardware of the intelligent machines. Humans will simply merge with the intelligent machines.Less
This chapter on machine intelligence reiterates Hawkins' viewpoint that genuine artificial intelligence can be developed only by emulating the neocortical structure of the mammalian brain. The pros and cons of developing machine intelligence are analysed. The section on smart robots in based mainly on the works of Brooks and Moravec. The evolutionary aspect of distributed machine intelligence in general, and robotics in particular, is described. The projected near-term and long-term applications of intelligent machines are presented briefly. Finally, there is a section on the ‘brave new world of intelligent structures’. Kurzweil's prediction is quoted, according to which, before the end of the present century, humans will be able to coevolve with their intelligent machines via neural transplants that will enable them to upload their carbon-based neural chemistry into the prevailing hardware of the intelligent machines. Humans will simply merge with the intelligent machines.
Masashi Sugiyama and Motoaki Kawanabe
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780262017091
- eISBN:
- 9780262301220
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262017091.001.0001
- Subject:
- Computer Science, Machine Learning
As the power of computing has grown over the past few decades, the field of machine learning has advanced rapidly in both theory and practice. Machine learning methods are usually based on the ...
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As the power of computing has grown over the past few decades, the field of machine learning has advanced rapidly in both theory and practice. Machine learning methods are usually based on the assumption that the data generation mechanism does not change over time. Yet real-world applications of machine learning, including image recognition, natural language processing, speech recognition, robot control, and bioinformatics, often violate this common assumption. Dealing with non-stationarity is one of modern machine learning’s greatest challenges. This book focuses on a specific non-stationary environment known as covariate shift, in which the distributions of inputs (queries) change but the conditional distribution of outputs (answers) is unchanged, and presents machine learning theory, algorithms, and applications to overcome this variety of non-stationarity. After reviewing the state-of-the-art research in the field, the book discusses topics that include learning under covariate shift, model selection, importance estimation, and active learning. It describes such real-world applications of covariate shift adaption as brain-computer interface, speaker identification, and age prediction from facial images.Less
As the power of computing has grown over the past few decades, the field of machine learning has advanced rapidly in both theory and practice. Machine learning methods are usually based on the assumption that the data generation mechanism does not change over time. Yet real-world applications of machine learning, including image recognition, natural language processing, speech recognition, robot control, and bioinformatics, often violate this common assumption. Dealing with non-stationarity is one of modern machine learning’s greatest challenges. This book focuses on a specific non-stationary environment known as covariate shift, in which the distributions of inputs (queries) change but the conditional distribution of outputs (answers) is unchanged, and presents machine learning theory, algorithms, and applications to overcome this variety of non-stationarity. After reviewing the state-of-the-art research in the field, the book discusses topics that include learning under covariate shift, model selection, importance estimation, and active learning. It describes such real-world applications of covariate shift adaption as brain-computer interface, speaker identification, and age prediction from facial images.
J. P. Telotte
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781781381830
- eISBN:
- 9781781382363
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5949/liverpool/9781781381830.003.0011
- Subject:
- Film, Television and Radio, Film
This chapter analyzes the intersection of cult and science fiction (sf) cinema, focusing on Robot Monster (1953). It argues that sf films have developed a cult reputation and following not only ...
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This chapter analyzes the intersection of cult and science fiction (sf) cinema, focusing on Robot Monster (1953). It argues that sf films have developed a cult reputation and following not only because they are bad films or in some way ‘paracinematic’ but rather because, either intentionally or not, they seem to tap into a double character that, for better or worse, quite often marks the sf film: that ability to seem by turns quite serious, conventional, and compelling, but also more than a bit strained, unserious, even absurd, especially in instances when their special effects become dated and appreciably less appreciated, that is, through a kind of slippage that can make viewers overly conscious of how these works function as films and/or as generic texts, and thus of the special effects' own relationship to these texts. But that is only one connection and, indeed, even without such ‘slippage’, many sf films often seem to be in negotiation between the serious and the strained, to verge on the cult, and this potential kinship says much about both the science fictional and the cult.Less
This chapter analyzes the intersection of cult and science fiction (sf) cinema, focusing on Robot Monster (1953). It argues that sf films have developed a cult reputation and following not only because they are bad films or in some way ‘paracinematic’ but rather because, either intentionally or not, they seem to tap into a double character that, for better or worse, quite often marks the sf film: that ability to seem by turns quite serious, conventional, and compelling, but also more than a bit strained, unserious, even absurd, especially in instances when their special effects become dated and appreciably less appreciated, that is, through a kind of slippage that can make viewers overly conscious of how these works function as films and/or as generic texts, and thus of the special effects' own relationship to these texts. But that is only one connection and, indeed, even without such ‘slippage’, many sf films often seem to be in negotiation between the serious and the strained, to verge on the cult, and this potential kinship says much about both the science fictional and the cult.
Cyriel M. A. Pennartz
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780262029315
- eISBN:
- 9780262330121
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262029315.003.0011
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience
Here we review the philosophical implications of the theory presented in previous chapters, and its consequences for future research. This leads us to demarcate the current theory from classical ...
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Here we review the philosophical implications of the theory presented in previous chapters, and its consequences for future research. This leads us to demarcate the current theory from classical positions such as dualism, materialism, and functionalism. We discuss dualist arguments such as the case of philosophical 'zombies'. However, while these seem conceivable, they are argued not to be realizable: the construction of neural machinery appropriate for zombies would inevitably give rise to consciousness. Following a discussion of Jackson’s argument on “Mary the Color Scientist”, the reality of phenomenal experience is acknowledged as much as the reality of neural levels of processing, placing the theory away from eliminative materialism and classic functionalism. This characterizes the theory as a non-reductive, multilevel, neurobiological form of representationalism ('neurorepresentationalism'). Although representationalists have not been typically concerned with the problem of how neural aggregates give rise to consciousness, the “externalist” stream in this school is much more distant from the current view than the “narrow” stream emphasizing that representations are generated in and by the brain. Finally, we discuss consciousness in animals and in human-made inventions such as computers and robots, and on future treatment of disorders of consciousness.Less
Here we review the philosophical implications of the theory presented in previous chapters, and its consequences for future research. This leads us to demarcate the current theory from classical positions such as dualism, materialism, and functionalism. We discuss dualist arguments such as the case of philosophical 'zombies'. However, while these seem conceivable, they are argued not to be realizable: the construction of neural machinery appropriate for zombies would inevitably give rise to consciousness. Following a discussion of Jackson’s argument on “Mary the Color Scientist”, the reality of phenomenal experience is acknowledged as much as the reality of neural levels of processing, placing the theory away from eliminative materialism and classic functionalism. This characterizes the theory as a non-reductive, multilevel, neurobiological form of representationalism ('neurorepresentationalism'). Although representationalists have not been typically concerned with the problem of how neural aggregates give rise to consciousness, the “externalist” stream in this school is much more distant from the current view than the “narrow” stream emphasizing that representations are generated in and by the brain. Finally, we discuss consciousness in animals and in human-made inventions such as computers and robots, and on future treatment of disorders of consciousness.
Charli Carpenter
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780801448850
- eISBN:
- 9780801470363
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9780801448850.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
Why do some issues and threats—diseases, weapons, human rights abuses, vulnerable populations—get more global policy attention than others? How do global activist networks decide the particular ...
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Why do some issues and threats—diseases, weapons, human rights abuses, vulnerable populations—get more global policy attention than others? How do global activist networks decide the particular causes for which they advocate among the many problems in need of solutions? According to this book, the answer lies in the politics of global issue networks themselves. Building on surveys, focus groups, and analyses of issue network websites, the book concludes that network access has a direct relation to influence over how issues are ranked. Advocacy elites in nongovernmental and transnational organizations judge candidate issues not just on their merit but on how the issues connect to specific organizations, individuals, and even other issues. The book describes three case studies of emerging campaigns to show these dynamics at work: banning infant male circumcision; compensating the wartime killing and maiming of civilians; and prohibiting the deployment of fully autonomous weapons (so-called killer robots). The fate of each of these campaigns was determined not just by the persistence and hard work of entrepreneurs but by advocacy elites' perception of the issues' network ties.Less
Why do some issues and threats—diseases, weapons, human rights abuses, vulnerable populations—get more global policy attention than others? How do global activist networks decide the particular causes for which they advocate among the many problems in need of solutions? According to this book, the answer lies in the politics of global issue networks themselves. Building on surveys, focus groups, and analyses of issue network websites, the book concludes that network access has a direct relation to influence over how issues are ranked. Advocacy elites in nongovernmental and transnational organizations judge candidate issues not just on their merit but on how the issues connect to specific organizations, individuals, and even other issues. The book describes three case studies of emerging campaigns to show these dynamics at work: banning infant male circumcision; compensating the wartime killing and maiming of civilians; and prohibiting the deployment of fully autonomous weapons (so-called killer robots). The fate of each of these campaigns was determined not just by the persistence and hard work of entrepreneurs but by advocacy elites' perception of the issues' network ties.
Nicholas P. Money
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199732562
- eISBN:
- 9780199918515
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199732562.003.0005
- Subject:
- Biology, Natural History and Field Guides, Plant Sciences and Forestry
Research on the use of robots to pick mushrooms has shown some promise, but, for now, modern practices in mushroom cultivation remain as labor intensive as the original methods developed in the ...
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Research on the use of robots to pick mushrooms has shown some promise, but, for now, modern practices in mushroom cultivation remain as labor intensive as the original methods developed in the seventeenth century in France. The button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is the most widely-cultivated species, and China is the largest supplier. More than half of the production in the United States occurs in Chester County in Pennsylvania, where Quaker farmers introduced mushroom growing in the 1880s. There is little genetic variation among strains of the button mushroom and, like other clonal crops, the cultivated fungus is subject to many diseases. Other cultivated mushrooms include shiitake, enokitake, oyster, wood ear, silver ear, lion's mane, maitake, and reishi. These fungi are not close relatives, but share relatively simple life cycles in nature, based on the decomposition of plant tissues, that can be replicated in cultivation.Less
Research on the use of robots to pick mushrooms has shown some promise, but, for now, modern practices in mushroom cultivation remain as labor intensive as the original methods developed in the seventeenth century in France. The button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is the most widely-cultivated species, and China is the largest supplier. More than half of the production in the United States occurs in Chester County in Pennsylvania, where Quaker farmers introduced mushroom growing in the 1880s. There is little genetic variation among strains of the button mushroom and, like other clonal crops, the cultivated fungus is subject to many diseases. Other cultivated mushrooms include shiitake, enokitake, oyster, wood ear, silver ear, lion's mane, maitake, and reishi. These fungi are not close relatives, but share relatively simple life cycles in nature, based on the decomposition of plant tissues, that can be replicated in cultivation.
