Overview
Scientists are as fascinated by the concept of artificial intelligence as science-fiction writers are by robots and robotics. Although scientists are far from creating one with the prowess of Commander Data or the robots in Isaac Asimov’s novels, they are learning a great deal about information and the limits of artificial intelligence.
Robots
The concept of robots, or machines that can carry out various actions, exists in most cultures around the world. The ancient Greeks had stories such as the myth of the sculptor Pygmalion and the statue Galatea. In the 5th Century BCE, the ancient Chinese had stories of wooden birds that could fly, and even Leonardo Da Vinci drew plans for a mechanical knight during the Renaissance. Commercial and industrial robotic arms perform many automatic tasks, such as automobile production. Robotic surgery is becoming more commonplace. A robot vacuum cleaner vacuums floors on its own, with a mass-produced version available for purchase in several home stores.
Tasks Robots Can Perform
Robots can perform many complex tasks that require repetition of a sequence of events, such as robotic arms in factory environments. Other robots have been developed to use in dangerous environments, such as in mines, under the sea, and even in space, such as space probes. There are a number of robotics competitions that are designed for students in elementary, high school, and college. Students are challenged to build robots with and without kits, and then enter them into competitions. For example, groups may build robots that are capable of climbing up a wall, playing soccer, or delivering a payload. One of the exciting challenges in robotics is the building of a car that is completely self-driving.
Tasks Robots Cannot Perform
As yet, robots have difficulty with novel situations, such as navigating across an unfamiliar room, or even recognizing a familiar room that is turned at an angle. Neither computers nor robots possess common sense, although there are constant efforts to develop neural networks that can focus on very specific problems. Robots and computers are limited in the number and range of processes they can perform. They do not have the power or organization within their central or peripheral units at this time.
Consciousness and Artificial Intelligence
The type of artificial intelligence that even the most capable robots and computers have is seen as “weak AI.” It is very specific and uses software to perform clearly-defined tasks. By contrast, strong general artificial intelligence might someday integrate all aspects of cognition to perform tasks that are more ambiguous.
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