My Oral Presentation: #1
Computers and Brains
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Table of Contents Instructions for this Report |
My first oral presentation assignment was to look explore
The Cognition and Affect Project FTP Directory. The site contents index for the files of the Cognition and Affect Project?s directory.What is the Cognition and Affect Project?
This is a quote from that site:
"The main goal of this project is to understand the types of architectures that are capable of accounting for the whole range of human mental states and processes, including not only intelligent behavior but also moods, emotions, desires, and the like. In particular we wish to explore the question whether the ability to have emotional states is an accident of animal evolution or an inevitable consequence of design requirements and constraints, for instance in resource-limited intelligent robots."
I have always assumed that it is not possible for man to create an architecture that can produce authentic desires and emotions. This is just my assumption. The question posed by this project is if we can create an architecture that processes information the same way the humans do will this architecture have the "byproduct" of emotions, desires, etc. To me this makes the human mind sound like a machine. Even answer to this question is never found, I feel that the research produced from this project well be very benefical. Through the course of the research we well better understand how the human mind processes information. More efficient designs for computer information processed will probably result from the research.
Who are the
people involved in the project? Aaron Sloman , of the University of Brimingham in England, leads The Cognition and Affect Project. Aaron Sloman is the professor of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science.The following questions are from fellow G11 students. I have attempted to answer the most frequently asked questions.
Do we need to create a computer with emotions?
I honestly don?t see the need to create one. I do understand how the drive to do so can lead to new and useful knowledge gained along the way. I don?t think we should actually reach the point where we can actually create a computer with emotions.
Do you think that it is possible that computers will understand and feel like us humans?
No. I believe that in order for a computer to understand and feel the way humans do it must encounter and perceive the world as we do. Humans have biological factors that affect the way humans sense and experience the world. I do not see a computer being made out of organic matter.
Why do you think it is called an "agent"?
These mechanisms are being designed so that they can assess information and make decisions on their own. A mechanism will desicide on its own how to navigate an area with prior programing about the layout of the area. Through it?s own experience it finds out what works(move through clear space) and what does not work (trying to go through an obsticle). It begins to build a knowedbase for it experiences. A programor may give it the very basic rules such as how to remember it?s experiences, but not more detailed rules such as œit is not possible to go through an object?. I feel that the term agent is used to imply that the mechanism is force within itself that produces it?s own effects.
Why are emotions necessary?
Emotions influence how one perceives the world, influences desires, and influence one?s motivation for action. People tend to project emotions to inanimate objects. A computer can appear cold and intimidating to a person. This may affect how the person uses or even if the person uses the computer. Creating a computer that seems more human like by having it simulate warm, friendly characteristic may anchorage people to use the computer more and feel more comfortable with using computers. I know some people who avoid high tech items because these things seem cold and impersonal. I feel that these people are missing out on a lot of useful thinks.
The Cognition and Affect Project FTP directory site has a lot of links to explore. Start exploring the links early. Pick one aspect of the topic that is of interest to you and focus on that for your report.
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