Interesting article. But they left out KITT and KARR in Knight Rider, my favorite AIs.
They also think it's
scientists that will do the revolutionary, no questions asked. Not to knock the progress of researchers and the like, but who's to say, with Open Source initiatives and little groups like this, and even who knows some hacker in some dark corner that is too busy coding an AI to be on forums, etc. might not come up with the first real, authentic, almost-human AI system? Who's to say someone hasn't already in some deep dark cellar but hasn't revealed it in fear of the repercussions of those 'in power' somewhere? Hmmm... The human mind itself is unknown. Especially the minds of those we never met...
I think with the Internet reaching so many people, and technology and power of even the least expensive home computers, AI research isn't just for scientists anymore. This can be done by anyone. In fact, look at robotics. Non-scientists have invented some really great things as well.
While so many think Scientists are the most authoritive, the best and ONLY way to get there. I fully disagree. I think it could be anyone. Anywhere. Anytime.
As they say around my neck of the woods: Hey, you never know.
Let's just say I kinda had a sour experience with someone who claimed to work in a government lab as an AI researcher or something and then proceeded to stalk me online, even using their friends to do so, because their ego couldn't stomach the idea I'd know what I'm talking about as far as AI is concerned and laughed off all my ideas and theories as childish foolishness not worthy of their own thought.
May their own AIs set them straight.
I would of course love to meet other AI scientists and researchers, but only if they promise to take me seriously, even my more off-the-wall ideas (hey, I could even go on to spar about the subject of "what is reality?" with them in that case?
)
That's what I like about this forum in particular. I can spew my off-the-wall ideas and explore them, and even if folks disagree, there's still an interesting discussion nonetheles.