Human to superhuman: Time to upgrade yourself March 11, 2015 If you could use biotechnology to upgrade yourself, would you? Perhaps you’ve always despaired at your numerical illiteracy, or maybe you have trouble remembering things. A branch of science is looking beyond mere wearable tech toward a future of devices that you actually add to your body to make it better. From hearing aids to [...]
Google’s Eric Schmidt: Humans are better off than ever – and it’s down to technology March 6, 2015 Humankind has never had it so good and we should be thankful for the role of technology in getting us to that point, according to Google’s Eric Schmidt. Speaking at the WorldPost's Future of Work conference, the executive chairman of the software giant said he wanted to talk about “why we are so unhappy – [...]
The non-bank of Facebook, AliBay, and AI: The future of global fintech March 5, 2015 The global fintech industry has seen some remarkable developments since we launched Level39 two years ago. But what of the future? I’d like to suggest two possibilities for what might happen, and challenge one that, contrary to some current thinking, I don’t think will. FACEBOOK: THE NON-BANK BANK More than any other social media platform, [...]
Man Vs machine: One chart showing how artificial intelligence created by Google’s Deep Mind beat humans at classic 80s Atari games February 26, 2015 Google just made a massive leap forward in developing artificial intelligence (AI) – with the help of classic Atari games like Space Invaders and Pong. Researchers working at the secretive London company Deep Mind have succeeded in creating a computer program which can learn how to play computer games, with no input whatsoever from humans. [...]
“Machine learning”: Microsoft creates platform for analysing data in the cloud February 23, 2015 Microsoft has created a platform, located in the cloud, to allow people to analyse large quantities of data. Called Azure, it uses something called "machine learning", which has been around for over 20 years but not available to the masses. It involves using algorithms to look at past behaviour and make business predictions [...]
Artificial Intelligence: Darpa invents technology to let humans see beyond reality February 17, 2015 Could virtual reality be a step closer to becoming part of human consciousness? Darpa, the US military advanced research division, has revealed details of its brain-computer interface, a direct communication pathway between the brain and an external technological device. Called a “cortical modem”, the device, unveiled at the Biology is Technology (BiT) conference [...]
Bill Gates talks artificial intelligence concern, immortality, overpopulation and more in “ask me anything” January 29, 2015 If there's one thing Bill Gates enjoys more than computer software, philanthropy and tennis, it's talking to people on the internet. Whether it's TED Talks, book recommendations or online newsletters, the Microsoft founder loves to communicate with the web's masses. The billionaire took to Reddit for his third "Ask me Anything" yesterday, and what followed [...]
Will robots take over the world? Science fiction explores the rise of the machines January 28, 2015 Get ready to bow down before your new mechanical overlords – everyone from Stephen Hawking to Elon Musk are warning of the dangers of intelligent machines. We look to science fiction for the likely outcome. ROBOCOP (1987) Sanctimonious, violent but ultimately just, at least we know a future run by Robocop would be fair. [...]
There is nothing to fear from the rise of artificial intelligence, says Microsoft’s Eric Horwitz January 28, 2015 We need not fear the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the doomsday iRobot scenario, according Microsoft's head of research. Steven Hawking caused controversy last year with his dire warnings that intelligent machines pose a threat to the very existence of humanity. In December, he told the BBC "the development of full artificial intelligence could [...]
Humanity “three minutes to midnight” on the Doomsday clock January 23, 2015 The world is apparently teetering closer to all-out catastrophe than it has been since the height of the Cold War. We are, in the words of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Science and Security Boards, back at “three minutes to midnight” on the hands of the “Doomsday Clock“. The last time we were this [...]