Felix van den Aker

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DeepMind, owned by Alphabet, which is also owner of Google, is a venture that specializes in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Recently, DeepMind has announced that it has succeeded in developing a computer that can refer to its own memory to learn facts and use that knowledge to answer questions.

We know DeepMind because earlier this year, the company defeated the world’s best GO player with their AI system. Now, its new model, the differentiable neural computer (DNC), has just learned how to navigate in the London Underground. The DNC was able to calculate the fastest route between different Underground stations. It was able to do this by combining an external memory with deep-learning. In deep-learning, the DNC learns to carry out tasks by itself without the input of human-programmed rules.

The system uses the external memory similar to humans using their short-term memory. The makers of the AI told the Guardian that they are wary of saying that they have developed a machine that can reason, like a human. The achievements DeepMind has made change the current view on AI. In the future, it will become easier to apply deep learning to other, more complicated tasks. Even tasks that were always thought to be too difficult for an AI system.

With systems becoming more and more human-like, the science-fiction component in Artificial Intelligence is disappearing. We already have self-driving cars driving around for years. However, especially in the past year AI-technology has made big steps. Not only Google is experimenting with AI, but Microsoft and Apple are experimenting with AI as well, not to mention the hundreds of small tech start-ups. Some even say that an AI-technology revolution is on its way. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, for instance, is one of the leading industry experts who think artificial intelligence is soon to conquer the world.

Sources:
http://www.nu.nl/internet/4335611/google-dochter-wil-computer-indirecte-verbanden-laten-leggen-.html
http://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2016/10/07/the-ai-ad-tech-revolution-the-way

DeepMind’s new computer can learn from its own memory

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Mercedes is developing a drone service for package deliveries, farmers are checking the growth of their crops with drones and in Dubai the winners of the ‘World Drone Prix’, a drone-racing contest, were handed out $1 million in prize money. Drones are not just expensive army-equipment anymore, in fact, they are becoming a bigger part of our modern society. Of course, we all know about the ‘cool stuff’ drones can do, and that it is incredibly fun to fly one, but because drones are a completely new phenomenon they also rise a lot of questions. What happens when we get to the point where drones are flying everywhere, how about the downsides?

Most drones today have camera’s on board and some are able to zoom in from an impressive height. With drones everywhere it might feel as if someone is always watching you. Not only will the camera’s on the drones get better and better, the drones will also get smaller. The smallest drone at the moment is smaller than a tennis ball and eventually drones will get as small as a mosquito. What will this mean for our privacy?

Not only do drones raise concerns about our privacy, but also about our safety. Drones form a serious problem for prisons because they are often used to smuggle drugs and weapons into the prisons. In march this year, prisoners in the UK have even tried to use a drone to help them escape out of prison. Drones form a serious and increasing problem during big events, such as the Olympic Games, as well. The public must be protected from drones that are flown by groups such as terrorists, protestors and vandals, but how can we protect ourselves from these drones?

During the Olympic Games the biggest drone maker in the world, DJI, collaborated with the Brazilian military by putting up temporary restrictions in their drones, keeping them from flying in airspace around sports arenas in six Brazilian city’s. However, during the opening ceremony three drones flying over the arena triggered a security panic. Despite their extreme security measures the Brazilian security failed to keep the drones away from the stadium.

The use of jamming devices could have made the drones lose connectivity with the controller, which would have caused the drones to hover to the ground. However, this is not what any security wants, three potentially dangerous drones landing on the ground in a completely packed arena. The Dutch police has thought of another way to protect ourselves from drones. They have been training eagles to see the drones as their prey and as from 11 September 2016 the birds are indeed being used as protection from drones. However, experts argue that the birds of prey are not strong enough to disable most drones.

Then how can we protect ourselves from drones? This, together with the questions and concerns about our privacy regarding drones, is a question that has not yet completely been answered, and one we surely have to think about. Therefore we have to be cautious around drones and the regulation of drones until we know more. If drones are to be regarded as fun, or as dangerous, has yet to be seen.

Sources:
http://www.nu.nl/gadgets/4318178/mercedes-benz-toont-futuristisch-busje-met-ingebouwde-bezorgdrones.html
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/14/drone-racing-the-new-sport-that-could-go-sky-high
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2016/09/15/de-arend-krijgt-hulp-van-anti-drones-4291055-a1521486
http://boingboing.net/2016/09/12/the-worlds-smallest-camera-d.html
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2016/09/01/aantal-incidenten-met-drones-stijgt-flink-a1518951
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3501303/Prisoners-tried-escape-getting-DRONE-fly-pair-bolt-cutters-mobile-phone-drugs-jail.html
DJI puts temporary restrictions on its drones in Brazil during the Olympic Games in Rio

Drones armed with guns, chainsaws and vulnerabilities

http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/8/12402972/olympics-rio-2016-anti-drone-jamming-public-safety

AI – not science-fiction anymore

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Drones, fun or dangerous?

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