Scientists from the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and
partners in Germany and the U.S. have developed a microchip that processes much
like the human brain. Unlike clunky predecessors that react only to
environmental stimuli these new chips use neurons that will use analytic
abilities, decision-making capabilities, as well as short-term memories to
react to their environment in real time.
The key to this discovering is that it can take sensations
from the environment like humans and process them to make quick paced
decisions. As the machine picks up on environmental cues it is capable of
processing the multiple sensations to make meaning out of these cues and in
term devise a type of strategy and change or adjust its course of action. It
works fundamentally the say way the human brain works.
The science of neuroinformatics typically seeks to recreate artificial
bundles of nerves on supercomputers in an attempt to determine how information
is processed in much the same way as the human brain processes information. The
field of neuroinformatics uses mathematical models, tools, and other systems to
try and mimic the neuroscientific aspects of the human nervous system.
You may ask yourself what would be the main point in
developing a computer chip that works much like the human brain? The ultimate
goal is to create independent functioning machines that have the ability to
take cues from their environment, change their courses, and complete their
missions. At present, machines still need to be run through remote control
because humans still have the most efficient decision making processes
available.
According to Professor Giacomo Indiveri from the Institute
of Neuroinformatics (INI) the goal is to, “…emulate the properties of
biological neurons and synapses directly on microchips” (University of
Zurich). In essence, you would have an
independent machine that can adjust course, behavior, and actions based upon
environmental information. This processing would be limited by the sensory
systems attached to the system.
There are some theoretical problems with the process. Unless
the system can build new connections, behavioral models, and hardware
independently it would not be able to mechanically/biological adapt to its
environment. It would be limited by its design. Furthermore, it would be a
rational machine that wouldn’t necessarily be able to use emotion to further
those connections to create new forms of knowledge such as intuition. Data is
only half the equation while emotion is the other. According to the French
Mathematician Descartes emotion hampers decision making but others have argued it is
truly part of and enhances the decision making process.
In either event, it certainly will be interesting to figure
out where all of this leads. Such machines might be of benefit in space,
underwater, combat situations, and places where communication has been cut off.
The development of miniaturization in manufacturing is likely to make these
processing systems more efficient and capable of use in multiple arenas. We may
soon have a machine that think as fast as we do but would be limited in its
ability to intuitively “feel” its environment in the way humans can. The good
news is that you could probably still confuse such a computer with questions
that require an intuitive answer based in emotional judgement where the pieces
don’t create the solution.
