Category: Uncategorized

Charles Chu (The Polymath Project) discusses the paradox of history proposed by Yuval Harari (Sapiens, Homo Deus). Key Quote – Continue reading “Paradox of History”

I recently stumbled across this article that traces the history of Artificial Intelligence, from the first paper using the term and describing its goals in 1958 to today. Along the way, I also found Continue reading “History and Future of AI”

Shane Parrish (Farnam Streen Blog) wrote an excellent essay on the butterfly effect and how it impacts science, economy, and business. Why it is important – Continue reading “Butterfly Effect”

Harvard Business Review did a comprehensive study of how corporate CEOs use their time. And the article became a very good treatise on leadership of Continue reading “The CEOs Calendar”

An AI algorithm has taught itself how to solve Rubik’s Cube. Sort of. By building an algorithm that approximates how close the current cube configuration is to the solution, the AI was able to craft its own reward system and outperform most human methods of solving the cube. Why it may be important – Continue reading “Rubik’s AI”

Researchers are working on a new generation of smart clothes with embedded sensors, lights, and even the ability to change colors. How do you think we might be able to use this type of technology to enhance training effectiveness for our Sailors? Are there additional sensors that you would want to have embedded in tactical clothing, or do you worry that we might be collecting too much personal data?

Large scale models of natural phenomena are one of the most challenging classes of problems in science and computing. Galaxy and star formation models are one type; weather and climate are another important area of modeling.  The models themselves are vastly complex, encompassing a huge number of variables, and necessitating difficult decisions about setting initial conditions, tuning assumptions in the model, and matching the scale and granularity of the model to the hypothesis being investigated. It’s tiring just considering the size of the challenge. Scientists are expressing new optimism about galaxy simulation models. While early models didn’t produce results that matched observation, more recent models are corresponding better to observations and increasing scientists’ confidence that they models can begin to serve in a predictive role and lead to new discoveries in cosmology.

This article from a retired Navy Captain presents a very good summary of the issues, concerns, and potential way ahead for autonomous sensor and weapon systems and how to balance war at machine speed with the desire to keep humans in the loop (or on the loop) as much as possible in deadly force decision-making. Do you think we are taking too much risk on autonomous systems? Or are we not taking enough risk?