All prices shown are in New Zealand dollars and inclusive of GST.
Machines that mimic cognitive functions which humans associate with other human minds, such as learning and problem solving, are said to be exhibiting Artificial Intelligence or AI. This is a topic that has been much in the news in recent times. We have now grown accustomed to computers reading text, to our consulting virtual personal assistants such as Siri and GPS route finders, to controlling by voice, to robotic assembly lines. But now we are assailed with news of coming developments such as driverless cars, facial recognition, and robot physicians. This plethora of very smart technology leads some to believe that we are rapidly approaching The Singularity where the invention of artificial super-intelligence will abruptly trigger runaway technological growth, resulting in unfathomable changes to human civilization! Be that as it may, there is a continuous stream of research into advancing AI and corresponding concern about its impact. In this series of lectures we will explore what is happening locally. Setting the scene, our lead speaker for 2017, Professor Nikola Kasabov, from Auckland University of Technology, will discuss the progress of AI from its deepest roots to current research frontiers, applying AI to the Big Data of medicine. Of personal interest to many of us, Professor Hans Guesgen, from Massey University, will be talking about the use of AI to improve the lot of elderly citizens. Associate Professor Marcus Frean, from Victoria University of Wellington, will take a more-critical look at the current hot topic of deep learning. Ending the lecture series, with a discussion of the questionable impacts of AI, will be Associate Professor Ian Watson from the University of Auckland.
