Computers learn to recognize cats.

[Space is pretty big]

blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2012/06/with-no-human-supervision-16000-computers-learn-to-recognize-cats/


The internet is full of cats... and soon, it shall be aware of that fact.

[WestRider]

I particularly like that they weren't actually trying to teach the computer to recognize cats. It just sort of learned how to do it on its own, because there are so many pictures of them out there ;D

[swarm492]

This is awsome

[Captain Malachi]

It basically invented the concept of a cat.

Wow, that's pretty deep.

[Hive Carnithrope]

They're learning... independently. Soon they'll have a hunger for mice, and devour us all!!!

[Rakuall]

Are Carni and I the only ones who think learning computers is a bad idea? Maybe not in and of itself, but learning from us? Humanity isn't a great role model. Historically (and even the not too distant past), whenever one group has been superior (or perceived superiority) to, or desired something from, another group, they have (more often than not) taken it by force. And computers are definitely superior. In terms of effective memory (can you remember a single book verbatim, let alone hundreds?), processor/thinking speed (a simple computer can tell you 8+9/15x367+4/9 faster than you can type it in), data retrieval (appendix versus ctrl+f), and other areas I'm no doubt overlooking. Sure, we beat them in mobility, that means squat once they hijack our missiles or build cybernetic hover-weapons-platforms to hunt us down with.

As to a reason to exterminate us, if (percieved?) superiority isn't enough, have a look around the internet. Hell, open a paper. Humans have great capacity for kindness, and many utilize it, but what is shown/presented/remembered is humanity at its worst. That and spongebob. let's purge all records of that before computers hit sentience/aliens show up.

(This post partially comedy. Even I don't know the degree of seriousness presented here)

Edit: Also, I realize I'm overreacting a little, and that this is only a small step towards sentient machines, but that's just it. It is a step.

[Overread]

Far as I know one of the tricky things even when teaching a computer directly, is to get it used to the idea of all the possibilities in the real world compared to the theoretical. Whilst computers have a potential to recognise many things we cannot, in that same breath they can also have trouble resolving a full image into what it actually is without confusing itself (ie getting it to learn to see patterns in shape or sound which are real and not imaginary)


That said impressive that it learnt to recognise the image and shape of the cat, but I also wonder what else it was able to distinguish aside from felines. I also wonder how well it learns to see felines outside of youtube.

[Inquisitor Stingray]

I have no mouth and I must scream.

[Tizheruk]

get to your bunkers guys, here comes skynet

[Space is pretty big]

Humanity isn't a great role model. Historically (and even the not too distant past), whenever one group has been superior (or perceived superiority) to, or desired something from, another group, they have (more often than not) taken it by force.

Thus why cat based computers are our only hope!

[Dro]

It's only a matter of time before the computers realize how easily amused Humans are.

I fear that day.

[Deathnid]

... Thats Deep, man.

[Psychichobo]

Eh, computers don't have a desire for anything, so as long as you don't try to tell it to clean and it ends up considering humans 'unclean'.

[stryph]

With all the images of cats online the computer will assume they are the true native population of the earth, and the humans are are their dictator overlords denying them their freedom.

It's only a matter of time until they form an unholy alliance to gain their freedom and we are destroyed by 80 foot cat cyborgs.

[ziyousansz]

Jun 29, 2012 19:16:20 GMT Inquisitor Stingray said:

I have no mouth and I must scream.

It has to start somewhere, after all.

That said, I'm slightly disappointed with the thought that the road to AI sentience will be paved with cats.

...I take that back, any road paved with cats is kind of funny.