Most of the factories I visited employs a form of robot and of course software.
>From the very-very simple robots which automates and standardizes patch >embroidery for addidas/nike/polo/etc ... to the very time consuming laying of >apparel pattern on a roll of fabric to get the least wastages. You see, people >CAN and have originally done this tasks but robots does them faster and more >consistently. The key word is consistent. Of course in my line of work we don't really play with AI, instead we work with software that controls hardware in a very-very specific way. Like in the laying of patterns and cutting, the software will compute and provide the operator a choice on which is the most efficient laying of patterns of a fabric ... but the operators "experience" will help him decide which of the options to use to actually cut the materials. Of course cutting is again done by another robot which just use the selection of the operator. Why am I mentioning this? Because in war, front line is only a facet of it. You have to think of your supply chain, your support structure, equipment, food, repair, etc. Remember after the attack at pearl harbor? The production machinery of the US was redesigned to support the war effort. I believe that today, now, software is already involved in war. In the production of goods and services to support war. Still, one of my favorite science fiction movies that directly relates to the discussion is "Screamers" <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screamers_(1995_film)> which is actually based on Philip K. Dick's short story "Second Variety" <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Variety>. Since this is Chat ... I've actually watched ALL movies that were taken from Philip K. Dick's writing (even the really dozy one with Keanu Reeves ... the Scanner Darkly). Hahaha, I remember bringing my wife to watch the re-issue of Bladerunner ... her reaction was "It's so stupid, why don't they have cellphones?". Hahahahahahaha. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Raul Miller Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 5:53 AM To: Chat forum Subject: Re: [Jchat] Software at war On Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 4:35 PM, Joey K Tuttle <[email protected]> wrote: > Daemon explores some interesting premises based > on technology already in widespread use. Those of > us very skeptical about these uses of AI may be > erring by thinking of the "big picture" instead > of the advances made in "narrow AI". In my own > experience, some of these narrow AI robots are > getting very good at what they do - maybe better > than people would be for the same task.... > A C-clamp is better than a person, for some of what it does. No AI necessary -- thought it is hard to imagine how adding an AI would eliminate that characteristic. -- Raul ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
