Artificial intelligence with common sense, coming soon to a web browser near you

"In the next few months, an artificial brain called Cyc will be put online for the world to interact with.

Cyc features a human trait no other AI system has managed to imitate: common sense. It should be able to recognise that in the phrase 'the pen is in the box', the pen is a small writing implement, while in the sentence 'the box is in the pen', the pen is a much larger corral.
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When it will be released on the web, people will be able to contribute to its knowledge by submitting questions and correcting it if Cyc gets the answers wrong. Doug Lenat of Cycorp, the system's creator, envisages Cyc eventually being connected to webcams and other sensors monitoring environments around the globe, building its knowledge of the world more or less by itself." (Full story at top llink)

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I remember checking out the Cyc page a couple of years back, I think this might be pretty darn cool. AI has gotten a lot of flak over the past few years as a frivolous pursuit, but I think technology is now to a point to make it more robust and feasible. Build functional AI, a great launchpad for it would be 3D game characters (Half-Life opponents, MMOPGs, etc.). Gaming is extremely popular and could serve as a great positive feedback loop for AI development (like porn was for VHS, DVD, and even the Internet, to a certain extent).

(cyborg'd from we make money not art)
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