Mentatul

Category: Recommendations

Recommendations from around the web.

  • Big Corporations Go After Artificial Intelligence

    Big Corporations Go After Artificial Intelligence

    The word “Go” in the title is not coincidental. Much earlier than expected, an AI program managed to defeat a human Go champion. Artificial Intelligence has had the upper hand in the game of Chess for more than a decade already. However, defeating humans at the game of Go requires a different kind of intelligence than it is the case with Chess.

    Here’s the news report about Google having reached this important milestone in AI development: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/546066/googles-ai-masters-the-game-of-go-a-decade-earlier-than-expected/^

    IBM, Google, Microsoft, FaceBook, Amazon and Apple are all pouring billions of dollars into this sort of research. So do other companies and, less advertised, so do many governments. Not to mention universities and even hobbyists. The jury is still out regarding whether strong (true) Artificial Intelligence is even achievable.

    My worry is that once a corporation or government manages to succeed in this venture, the result might offer that entity an unimaginable economic and strategic advantage. Such an advantage will make nuclear weapons seem like a wet firecracker in comparison.

    Some have said that AI will be our last invention, for better or for worse. That is because AI might overtake us in intelligence to such an extent that it could invent things that we cannot even begin to imagine. So the risk lies not only in the birth of true AI, but also in whatever new beings such intelligence might give birth to as it grows and learns how to play with its intelligence. All this may very well lead us to immortality or to extinction.

    If you’d like to learn more about the topic, I recommend you to read this excellent two part article explaining what it’s all about. It’s quite long but it’s an interesting and pleasant read. At least skip through it, because a life-changing Artificial Intelligence development may be closer than you think.

    Part 1:

    http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html^

    Part 2

    http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-2.html^

    I also find it quite interesting that some corporations are open sourcing their AI frameworks and tools. I have a fair amount of trust that a large economic entity or a scientific organization will be at least a bit careful about how they program the ethical aspects of an AI, if nothing else then for self-preservation purposes. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same thing about hobbyists who might not even give a priority to such a vital concern.

    Microsoft Open Sources Artificial Intelligence Toolkit:

    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498435,00.asp^

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  • Is Moldova the Next Battle in the Russia vs NATO Saga?

    Is Moldova the Next Battle in the Russia vs NATO Saga?

    Russia and NATO have a problem. Trampling upon Ukraine’s territorial integrity and using it as a pawn in the geo-political superpowers war has concluded with what is pretty much a draw. The current situation in Moldova bears worrying similarity. A pro-Western government is currently leading the country, although its position is precarious. Is it now time for another state to face economic ruin while offering the mass-media a profitable side-show?

    Here’s a report from a NATO-affiliated news agency:
    https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/amid-protests-moldova-finally-appoints-government^

    Romanian is being spoken on the territory of Moldova and has been for a long time. These two states were the same country for a short while, but the dream didn’t last long because after World War II, the Soviet Union decided that they could use 34.000 square kilometers of extra territory. They argued that the land was theirs to begin with – the Ottoman Empire ceded parts of Moldova to the Russian Empire in 1812 and a process of Russification followed. Wikipedia^ has more information about all this.

    Like a loyal NATO member, Romania wants Moldova to join the European family, something that is sure to anger Putin. It feels like 2014 all over again, featuring NATO-affiliated countries doing funny business dangerously close to their Cold War archenemy. It may very well be in Moldova’s best interests to side with its Western neighbors, but judging by what happens in Ukraine, the small country might become yet another unfortunate pawn in the dealings of superpowers.

    I can only hope that Russia won’t be as brutish with Moldova as it was with Ukraine. After all, the bordering break-away republic of Transnistria, which has little international recognition, serves as a pro-Russian buffer zone in the area. I also hope that Romania itself won’t face Russia’s wrath because of the loan it has decided to offer to Moldova. Both countries rely on natural gas imports from their nuclear-armed neighbor.

    About the loan and the attempt to bring Moldova closer to NATO’s sphere of influence:
    http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Romania-offers-Moldova-60-million-loan-to-spur-6784049.php^

    And because I like to offer you both sides of the story, here’s what TASS (Russian news agency) has published regarding the situation:
    http://tass.ru/en/opinions/851363^

    [ax_meta fbimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/201601-0163-MoldovaTheNextBattle-Share.jpg’ lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/201601-0163-MoldovaTheNextBattle-Thumb.jpg’ fbimgw=’1170′ fbimgh=’350′ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Is Moldova the Next Battle in the Russia vs NATO Saga?’ desc=’Russia and NATO have a problem. Trampling upon Ukraine's territorial integrity and using it as a pawn in the geo-political superpowers war has concluded with what is pretty much a draw.’]

  • Denmark to Confiscate Valuable Belongings From Immigrants

    Denmark to Confiscate Valuable Belongings From Immigrants

    The Recommendations section begins on a sour note with this highly disturbing report coming from Denmark. The Danes will now confiscate the valuable belongings of immigrants, so that they can cover the costs required to accommodate and feed them.

    Here’s a news report from CNN:
    http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/26/europe/denmark-vote-jewelry-bill-migrants/^

    In their infinite and noble clemency, the Danes will allow the immigrants to keep items of “sentimental value”. Initially, I wanted to say that this is similar with what the Nazis were doing with the Jews. But then I realized that it’s not similar at all. It’s actually identical, except for the fact that it takes place seven decades later. This means that there’s a bit less barbarism, which is probably the least that we could demand from the human race at this point in time.

    From such a country, which has been a stalwart of free speech and liberalism, I expected more than sinking to the lowest ethical standards of contemporary civilization. Even though I am able to understand the economical reasoning behind the decision, I’m painfully aware that there were so many other decent ways to solve this.

    It looks like Denmark went with a resolution that should appease the far-right, a political cult which is not exactly renowned for its reliable long-term thinking. I wonder how much respect the current immigrants will have towards their adoptive country some years from now. At a time when Europe tries to contain extremist tendencies, the actions of Denmark appear to me like a sort of social suicide.

    I find it sad that this is the best answer a European country can come up with. Apparently they will confiscate things like laptops too. To me, this sounds like they’re denying opportunity and reducing the chances for these people to start a new life using the belongings they undoubtedly struggled and risked to bring with them. To me, this sounds like slavery. In the past we went and kidnapped slaves, now we just destabilize their countries and make them cover the expenses and risks to get here; neat huh? The fact that the Danish citizens are sitting rather quietly while this happens raises uncomfortable questions.

    Here’s an analysis of the situation:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andras-simonyi/perhaps-something-not-so-_b_9081238.html^

    Ultimately, it’s any country’s right to manage this sort of crisis as it sees fit. I agree that refugees should do their best to cover their costs. But this should only come later, when they’ve been integrated and trained in the ways through which they can contribute to the society they’re part of.

    One last thing I’d like to add. I can’t easily understand how the Danish government wants to monetize laptops and other valuable technology taken off the refugees. Will they use pawn shops? Who would like to buy these devices? I think Danes can afford pretty much whatever hardware they wish for. This draconian maneuver reeks of ulterior motives.

    [ax_meta fbimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/201601-0141-DenmarkToConfiscate-Share.jpg’ lnimgurl=’http://mentatul.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/201601-0141-DenmarkToConfiscate-Thumb.jpg’ fbimgw=’1170′ fbimgh=’350′ lnimgw=’250′ lnimgh=’250′ title=’Denmark to Confiscate Valuable Belongings From Immigrants’ desc=’Kicking off the Dissected News section is this highly disturbing report coming from Denmark. The Danes will now confiscate the valuable belongings of immigrants, so that they can cover the costs required to accommodate and feed them.’]