Cognitive Computers: building machines that think and reason like us

By Dick Pelletier

      

    Cognitive computing, computers that process information the same way a brain does has been a dream for 50 years. Artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, and neural networks have all experienced some degrees of success, but machines still cannot recognize pictures or understand language as well as humans can.

    Despite the many false starts though, forward thinkers like George Mason University's Dr. James Albus believe cognitive computing research is at the tipping point, similar to where nuclear physics was in 1905. Albus cites evidence, which includes technologies presented in this article, that a revolution is underway.

    Humanizing Computers Fast Becoming Reality – A team led by Dharmendra Modha at the IBM Almaden Research Center, with support from the Defense Advance Research Project Agency (DARPA), recently completed the first phase of a computer chip project known as SyNAPSE (Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics) – a human-like brain built entirely on a microchip.

    SyNAPSE currently operates with 256 neurons, 262,144 synapses and 256 axons. For comparison, an adult human brain has about 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion synapses. However, the researchers believe that future versions of this project can be expanded to mimic more of the human mind capacity.

    In another endeavor, the Blue Brain Project at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne), researchers hope to reverse-engineer the human brain and construct an exact replica in silicon. Chief scientist Henry Markram believes that this international effort will achieve human brain emulation by 2024.

    These research ventures promise cures for brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's; and one day, they may even give robots and other 'smart' machines human-like emotions and consciousness.

    'Smart' Cars – Carmakers are building vehicles with more computer safety features. Department of Transportation officials believe that driverless vehicles expected in the 2020s, programmed with human-like emotions and powerful computer decision-making logic will slash highway death tolls everywhere.

    Automating War – Department of Defense planners predict that by the 2020s, computer-driven robots and invisibility-cloaked auto-fly drones will remove most soldiers from battlefield dangers. Though these futuristic combat systems wield horrific destructive capabilities, experts believe they may actually lead to less destruction, becoming a deterrent force in wars, and assisting in the fight against terrorism.

    Artificial Neurons Replace Human Brain Cells – Foresight Institute consultant John Burch sees cognitive computing working its way into our bodies. University of Southern California scientists recently developed implantable biomimetic electronics that they believe might one day replace aging neurons.

    By 2040, positive futurists believe we could be replacing all of our brain cells with materials that process thoughts faster than biological brains can. This faster brain would allow us to run multiple simulations in our mind before making decisions, which would reduce mistakes and raise human intelligence levels.

    Burch describes how we would switch to the new brain: a pill would supply materials with instructions for nanobots (projected development – 2030s) to form new neurons and place them near existing cells to be replaced. These changes would be unnoticeable, but in six months, we will be enjoying our new brain.

    Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) – Cybernetics specialist Christof Koch predicts cognitive computing will help connect our brain with machines for direct transfer of data into our minds. Mind enhancement will drive this science forward, and experts say by late 2040s, BMIs will become a routine medical procedure.

    Imagine a hard drive linked directly to your mind enabling you to 'download' memory implants for skill enhancements. This would allow actions to be performed that have not been learned directly. You could master any subject, or learn a foreign language – without studying.

    Conclusion – As we trek into the coming decades we see machines becoming more like us; and by adopting their computing power, we become more like them. Where will this take us? Stay tuned.

    This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.
Please note: This article represents a milestone, as this is our 400th weekly published piece. I would like to thank all my readers for your interest in science and technologies presented in a forward view, Dick Pelletier, futuretalk@positivefuturist.com.