Could a pigeon be the next great art critic?
Are humans the only animals that can appreciate beauty? Stories about painting elephants and chimps have convinced some that we are not the only species with a developed sense of the aesthetic. But doubts remain regarding whether these animals are truly creating art or simply trained performers. A Japanese scientist has approached the question from…
The Human Victory
So Watson just pwned humanity, setting a milestone in the history of artificial intelligence. But this trouncing gives us—as we lick our wounds, cry foul, or demand a rematch—the opportunity to ask afresh what it means to be human. https://io9.gizmodo.com/preview/ibm-jeopardy-challenge-finale-watson-is-victorious-5762784 At least as far back as Socrates and Plato, Homo sapiens has been fascinated with…
