Google & NASA Back Futurists: Singularity University

[Ivan Seeking]

Google and Nasa are throwing their weight behind a new school for futurists in Silicon Valley to prepare scientists for an era when machines become cleverer than people.

The new institution, known as “Singularity University”, is to be headed by Ray Kurzweil, whose predictions about the exponential pace of technological change have made him a controversial figure in technology circles.

Google and Nasa’s backing demonstrates the growing mainstream acceptance of Mr Kurzweil’s views, which include a claim that before the middle of this century artificial intelligence will outstrip human beings, ushering in a new era of civilisation...

...Despite its title, the school will not be an accredited university. Instead, it will be modeled on the International Space University in Strasbourg, France...

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8b162dfc-f168-11dd-8790-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

 

[redargon]

just a side note: I never knew cleverer was a real word, but just googled it and it does exist. I thought it was more clever, because cleverer sounded stupider.

 

[Office_Shredder]

Apparently it's $25,000 for a nine week program.

 

[BobG]

just a side note: I never knew cleverer was a real word, but just googled it and it does exist. I thought it was more clever, because cleverer sounded stupider.

Grammatically, most two syllable words can go either way. Using "more" is commoner, especially for words that end in "-er" (clever, for example). About the only two syllable words I can think of off the top of my head where it's common to use "-er" are words that end in "-ly" (lovelier, lonelier, etc).

 

[Office_Shredder]

Using more 'more' is a more good way of phrasing things

On a seriouser note, apparently moor has three definitions.

Is there a word for opposite of onomatopoeias? Example: cleverer sounds stupider

 

[Lacy33]

Using more 'more' is a more good way of phrasing things

On a seriouser note, apparently moor has three definitions.

Is there a word for opposite of onomatopoeias? Example: cleverer sounds stupider

Thank you Office_Shreederer

 

[wolram]

This is crazy, i can kick a machine in its output device and it will not even moan, the day they invent one that will come after me and kick me back is the time when we will know tech has been at least partially successful.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

This is crazy, i can kick a machine in its output device and it will not even moan, the day they invent one that will come after me and kick me back is the time when we will know tech has been at least partially successful.

Robots have been roaming the streets of Iraq, since shortly after the war began. Now, for the first time -- the first time in any warzone -- the machines are carrying guns.

After years of development, three "special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS) robots have deployed to Iraq, armed with M249 machine guns. The 'bots "haven't fired their weapons yet," Michael Zecca, the SWORDS program manager, tells DANGER ROOM. "But that'll be happening soon."...

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/08/httpwwwnational.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV3UJ91zxhM