AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.

I first heard of AI three years ago from a tech-savvy friend who understood its potential. About two years ago I noticed AI’s impact on the stock market. I noticed an increase in algorithmic trading. I noticed the surging value of Ai-related stocks (particularly Nvidia).

Our son Rob, who uses ChatGPT as a personal consultant, sent me a link to The Thinking Game, an excellent documentary about Demis Hassabis and his British group of AI pioneers. A 1 minute, 20 second trailer is available at YouTube, as well as the 1 hour, 24-minute documentary. I was spell-bound.

From “Accelerating Scientific Study with AI,” Demis Hassabis’ Lecture after he and colleague John Jumper received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, December 8, 2024.

Hassabis was a chess prodigy, on track to be a professional chess player. At age 12, at the end of a day-long match, he marveled at the brain power in the room of 300 chess players, but wondered what could happen if that kind of brain power could be networked to solve the world’s problems. In that moment, he found a reason for living beyond chess.