What we have learnt in this courseRoughly three parts of the courseLectures 1-10, Lab 1-5: Expand your notion of “computation”.Lectures 11-16; Labs 6-7: Looking inside current computersLectures 16-24; Labs 7-10: New Concepts that arose from study of computers and computationStudy guide for final (see handout)Example of Type (a) questionExamples of Type (b) questionsOne newsQuick Poll: What do you predict?If pressed, I would guess #4 Generally accepted fact about AIThoughts about Deep Blue “Second Life”Weird 2nd life factsThe most interesting questionWhat we have learnt in this courseCOS116: Instructor Sanjeev Arora05/04/06Roughly three parts of the courseLectures 1-10, Lab 1-5: Expand your notion of “computation”.• Scribbler• Pseudocode• Game of life, cellular automata, physical systems (weather, twister..)• Web, networks, websearch, datamining.• Turing-Post programs (universal programs, undecidability)• Digital sound and musicLectures 11-16; Labs 6-7: Looking inside current computers• Boolean logic• Circuits (combinational, and sequential)• Finite state machine (the “controller”) • CPUs and computer organization. • Silicon chips; microprocessors; Moore’s Law• Caching and MultitaskingLectures 16-24; Labs 7-10: New Concepts that arose from study of computers and computation• WWW and the Internet • Efficient computations, P vs NP, NP-completeness• Bioinformatics• Cryptography; Zero Knowledge Proofs• Viruses/Worms/Zombies/Cybersecurity• Machine Learning• Artificial intelligence.Study guide for final (see handout)Two types of questions: (a) Test a particular skill(b) Test knowledge of a topic at a conceptual level.Suggestion: Focus on “basic concepts”; main themesof lecture/lab/reading rather than arcana. Exam is closed-book.Example of Type (a) questionHere is a diagram of a combinational circuit assembledon the breadboard. It has three inputs, coming from thetoggle switch. Write its truth table (output of 1 correspondsto LED lighting up).1234ResistorLED74LS08 chip(AND gates)74LS32 chip(OR gates)“Toggle switch”Examples of Type (b) questions• What is the difference between a virus and a worm? All thingsbeing equal, which would tend to propagate faster?• Explain in a couple of lines how the current internet deals with congestion issues. Many short questions.One newsWe will not count the grade for one lab and one HW(your worst one)Some final thoughts on the Searle discussion(and where all this is heading)A billion-line computer programis in principleNothing but a Turing-Post programAnd thereforeNothing but a symbol manipulatorSomewhat like: “Man is nothing but a bundle of atoms.”Reading this takes>1000 years!Quick Poll: What do you predict?1. Computers will NEVER pass the Turing Test and will not be considered conscious in any way.2. Computers will pass the Turing Test but will notbe considered conscious or intelligent (“humanlike”).3. Computers will never pass the Turing Test but some maybe considered conscious (e.g., like a cat or dog).4. Computers will pass the Turing Test and will be considered conscious.Unlike Searle, I find #2 impossible;all the rest seem possible.History of science is replete with phenomena that wereonce mysterious and unexplainable.Self-reproductionOnce explained, quickly integrated into our worldviewIf pressed, I would guess #4Generally accepted fact about AIProgramming all necessary knowledge into computers ishopeless.Only hope : General purpose Learning AlgorithmsMany years of learningApproach already successful in restricted domains:Deep Blue, Google, Automated Stock Trading, Checking X-rays.Thoughts about Deep Blue• Tremendous computing power (ability to “look ahead”several moves)• Programmed by a team containing chess grandmasters.• Had access to huge database of past chess games.• Used machine learning tools on database to hone itsskills.“Human-machine computing”“Second Life”• Online community where everybody acquires an “avatar.” (Piece of code; point-and-click programming as in Scribbler.) • Avatar customizable but follows laws of physics inimaginary world (remember: weather simulation)Weird 2ndlife facts• Ability to buy/sell. (“Linden dollars”)• Budding markets in real estate,avatar skins, clothes, entertainment, “teaching” avatars new skills, etc.• Emerging political systems(See handout)An interesting viewpoint: Second-Lifers are teaching the computer what “human life” is.(Analogies: Chess database and Deep Blue,WWW and Google.)The most interesting questionNot:“Will computers ever be conscious?”But:Where will all this take us? (and our science, society, politics,…)Enjoy your future in the computational
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