Apple AI guru Tom Gruber speaks of artificial intelligence's 'inevitability' at TED

Speaking at the TED conference, Siri co-founder and Apple AI expert Tom Gruber declared that artificial intelligence should be used less to replace humans, and more to enhance aspects of humanity that are unreliable or fail with time, like memory.

In a session called "Our Robotic Overlords," Gruber said that in not so many years from now, the human and computer relationship will develop to the point that it will help us automatically remember every person we have ever met, details about interactions, and even how every meal we have ever eaten tastes.

"What if you could have a memory that was as good as computer memory and is about your life? What if you could remember every person you ever met," asked Gruber. "How to pronounce their name?" Their family details? Their favorite sports? The last conversation you had with them?"

Gruber feels that the advancement is "inevitable." However, he also points out that collected data can be harvested for ill intent, should it be not secured well.

"We get to choose what is and is not recalled," said Gruber. "It's absolutely essential that this be kept very secure."

Gruber also mentioned that the technologies can be utilized for those with dementia and Alzheimer's Sydrome, properly developed.

"Here's a man whose relationship with AI helps him," said Gruber of a blind, quadriplegic friend. Siri and similar technologies allowing Gruber's friend to have "genuine human relationships."

Gruber studied psychology and computer science at Loyola University New Orleans and received an M.S. in Computer and Information Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus.

Following the M.S, he obtained a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science in 1988, also at the University of Massachusetts. He co-founded the original parent company of Siri, and was brought on by Apple when the company was acquired in 2010.

Gruber has been named to the board of trustees for the Partnership of AI. Apple is a founding member of the organization.

The group's stated goals are to pool resources and develop interoperability for the future of AI technology. At this time, the group has declared that it does not intend to become a governmental lobbyist group.

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43 Comments

SpamSandwich 32917 comments · 19 Years

About 7 years ago

"Our Robotic Overlords"... LOL. At least they have a sense of humor about it. :smiley:

maestro64 5029 comments · 19 Years

Not interested in anything helping me remember every person I meet, there are people I choose to forget, same with some foods

macplusplus 2116 comments · 9 Years

dysamoria said:

stickista said:

Might want to fix your headline... Tom, not 'Ted' Gruber

Still the same by the time I got here. Proofreading is important.

also... artificial intelligence is a buzzword that still has yet to actually relate to actual intelligence. The best simulation of intelligence can't pass the most basic tests for intelligence. I wish there was a different term for this stuff so we could separate actual intelligence from cleverly made software tools that can't think.

The amount of information that gives rise to consciousness is so huge that silicon cannot handle this. An energy efficient biological machine is needed. All the rest is a cartoon of true consciousness.

Meanwhile we should not mix up intelligence and consciousness. There may be several types of intelligence that may come close to consciousness or not. What we need is "they" solve problems, not think.

macplusplus said:

dysamoria said:

stickista said:

Might want to fix your headline... Tom, not 'Ted' Gruber

Still the same by the time I got here. Proofreading is important.

also... artificial intelligence is a buzzword that still has yet to actually relate to actual intelligence. The best simulation of intelligence can't pass the most basic tests for intelligence. I wish there was a different term for this stuff so we could separate actual intelligence from cleverly made software tools that can't think.

The amount of information that gives rise to conscience is so huge that silicon cannot handle this. An energy efficient biological machine is needed. All the rest is a cartoon of true conscience.

Meanwhile we should not mix up intelligence and conscience. There may be several types of intelligence that may come close to conscience of not. What we need is "they" solve problems, not think.

There's absolutely no proof that supports your assertion that silicon-based consciousness is impossible.