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Intelligent machines have been a pervasive feature in the mythologies and folklore of many cultures across human history. The modern interest in these intelligent machines orients us toward two key questions: what is intelligence and how can we create systems that appear intelligent to us? During the 20th century, there has been significant progress in our mathematical understanding of computation and statistics that has given us the tools to finally begin to answer these questions. This talk will focus on the early history and evolution of the concepts surrounding artificial intelligence and various attempts to simulate human-like intelligence in modern machines up to 1980. Beginning with early computational theory, the group will examine the foundations of early AI, pioneered by mathematicians and Logical Positivists part of the Vienna Circle, leading to Turing’s formalization of the word “algorithm” in 1936 and the subsequent development of the modern computer. Everyone will then turn to some of the early philosophical questions surrounding the notion of intelligence and computation culminating with the infamous Dartmouth conference in 1956 where the term AI was first coined by John McCarthy. Then the group will look at some of the early attempts at creating AI based in symbolic physical systems, pioneered by Newell, Simon, and others. Finally, the meetup will end with the AI Winter during the 1970s where AI research saw a significant decline in funding due to excess hype and criticism of the progress early had AI promised. This will set the stage for the second and final talk in this series which will explore the modern approaches in AI, such as machine learning, that emerged after the AI Winter.
Agenda:
After the talk, they’ll head over to CU29 (across the street from the Omni) for networking and deep learning discussions.
6:30 – 7:00: Sign In/Grab some food/Announcements
7:00 – 8:00: Sanjeev’s Talk
8:00: Head on over to CU29