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Tech-Op-ed April/May 2023 SOUNDING OFF


By Michael Skinner Editor


How Close is AI, Really? T


he recent explosion in popularity of AI chatbots, including Mi- crosoft Bing, ChatGPT, and Google Bard, begs the question: how close are we to artificial general intelligence? AI already


exists in many forms and has made significant progress in recent years. However, AI is not a single technology or achievement, but a field of study with many different subfields, each of which has its own challenges and opportunities. In terms of current capabilities, AI is being used in a wide vari-


ety of applications, such as image and speech recognition, natural language processing, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. However, even the most advanced AI systems still have limitations and are far from achieving the level of general intelligence that humans possess. Some experts predict that we could develop artificial general in-


telligence (AGI) in the next few decades, which would be a significant milestone in the field of AI. However, others believe that achieving AGI may still be many years, or even decades away. Overall, while AI has made remarkable progress in recent years,


there is still a long way to go before we reach the level of AI depicted in science fiction movies. Bing, ChatGPT and Bard are the closest we’ve come to communicating naturally with machines. Artificial general intelligence (AGI) refers to the hypothetical


ability of an AI system to perform any intellectual task that a human can. AGI would be able to reason, learn, understand, and communi- cate like a human, and would not be limited to a specific domain or task.


Unlike current AI systems, which are designed to perform specif-


ic tasks such as image recognition, speech processing, or playing games, AGI would be capable of understanding and adapting to new situations, making decisions based on incomplete or ambiguous infor- mation, and solving problems in a way that is similar to human cog- nition.


Developing AGI is one of the most significant challenges in the


field of AI, and it is considered by many experts to be a crucial mile- stone in the history of human civilization. Some experts believe that AGI could have a transformative impact on society, leading to major advances in fields such as medicine, science, and engineering, while others warn about the risks associated with developing an AI system that is more intelligent than humans. The singularity, also known as the technological singularity, is a


hypothetical event in which artificial intelligence reaches a level of intelligence that is so far beyond human intelligence that it funda- mentally transforms civilization. The concept of the singularity was first popularized by the math-


ematician and computer scientist Vernor Vinge in a 1993 essay, in which he argued that the creation of superhuman AI would lead to an “intelligence explosion” that could lead to a rapid and unpredictable transformation of society. According to some futurists and transhumanists, the singularity


could result in a post-scarcity society in which humans could live in- definitely, with their consciousness uploaded to machines or virtual environments. Others argue that the singularity could be dangerous or even catastrophic, as superhuman AI could potentially pose an ex- istential threat to human civilization. However, it is important to note that the concept of the singular-


ity is largely speculative and controversial, and there is no consensus among experts about the likelihood or the timing of such an event. Many experts believe that the development of superhuman AI is still decades or even centuries away, and that the potential risks and ben- efits of such a technology are still largely unknown. In the meantime, there is still much work to be done. r


PUBLISHER’S NOTE


By Jacob Fattal Publisher


Remembering Gordon Moore G


ordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel Corporation and a pioneer in the field of microelectronics, passed away on March 24th, 2023, at the age of 94.


Moore was born on January 3rd, 1929, in San Francisco, Califor-


nia, and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry and physics from the California Institute of Technology. In 1968, he co-founded Intel Corporation with Robert Noyce, and went on to serve as the company’s CEO and Chairman until his retirement in 1997. Moore is best known for his 1965 prediction, which became


known as Moore’s Law, that the number of transistors on a microchip would double approximately every two years, leading to an exponen- tial increase in computing power. This prediction became a self-ful- filling prophecy, as the semiconductor industry worked to keep pace with the rapidly advancing technology. Moore’s Law has proven to be remarkably accurate, and has been


a driving force behind the development of faster, smaller, and more powerful computer chips. It has enabled the development of personal computers, smartphones, and other digital devices that have trans- formed the way we live, work, and communicate. The law remains an important concept in the field of microelectronics, and continues to influence the development of new technologies and the evolution of the digital economy. Under Moore’s leadership, Intel became one of the most successful


and influential companies in the history of the computer industry, play- ing a key role in the development of personal computers and the inter- net. Today, Intel is one of the world’s largest and most profitable semi- conductor companies, with a market capitalization of over $200 billion. Moore received numerous awards and honors throughout his ca-


reer, including the National Medal of Technology and the Presiden- tial Medal of Freedom. He was also a philanthropist, supporting causes such as education, the environment, and scientific research. Gordon Moore will be remembered as a visionary and pioneer


whose contributions to the field of microelectronics had a profound impact on the world we live in today. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations of scien- tists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. r


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