Posts by TheSingingProfessor

Londoners: Ready to swap your GP for an NHS vid doc app?

I recall there was a sketch on the Two Ronnies about something like this. Ronnie C played his 'Raincoat' character, while Ronnie B was the TV-based doctor.

I'd pay good money to go to any surgery where the VR doctor was played by Mr R Barker...

Google tries to run from flailing robotics arm

Ahh, Luddism strikes again in the 21st century. Plus a dose of, "We can't tell the truth because people won't like it." Cue cries of, "YOU AREN'T READY FOR THE TRUTH!"

My work is in the field of AI, and I work very closely in the field of games and game AI. Nobody worries about software like AlphaGo coming along: I mean, it could put hundreds, if not thousands, of people out of... well, out of a hobby. But surely it's a risk to their life and happiness!...

I can understand the issue of people being afraid for their livelihoods. But the intention behind a lot of robot design is to take the place of humans, in areas where humans are at significant danger -- or, frankly, just don't want to do the work. (Cue development of artificial crop-pickers...) Arguably, yes, that's the thin end of the wedge. But the argument is much wider and deeper and murkier than, I think, any of us is willing to admit. It's telling that Goog -- sorry, Aytozed -- isn't willing to take part in it, either; it's also telling that it's following the bottom line, for all its vaunted 'difference', and also running from the said discussion, when I'm sure with its clout it could make it a genuinely valuable, open conversation.

I hope BD finds somewhere to go. If Alphabet is afraid of hanging on to such a fascinating company, it's a worrying sign, not least for the rest of the pure research community but also as an indication of Alphabet's real attitude towards its 'special projects'. If I were on one of those teams, I'd be dusting off my résumé about now.