All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Human intellect has made astounding inventions. Things that once seemed impossible to intellectual capabilities and expertise of man and operations that took a long time to finish now get done in a matter of seconds. Human intelligence, based on the information of its sophisticated brain processes has created artificial intelligence. In 1956, John Mc Carthy used the word ‘Artificial Intelligence’ and made it clear that it is the technology related to an intellectual machine. This term, which is widely used in the field of computer science, bears the answers to several questions of the future. During the recent times, several aspects of computer science have been developed. It is because of this artificial intelligence that the dream of cognitive computing has become a reality.

This dream is fifty years old. In the 19th and 20th century, this term was a mere figment of imagination and was a secret, but today it stands as reality in front of us. In realizing this dream, neurology, communication principles and cybernetics have proved to be the various milestones. It is based on these milestones that artificial intelligence has reached its present stage.  It is possible that several unimagined links will get added to this. During all these years, science has progressed in artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic and neural networks, but it has failed to give eyes, ears and heart to the computer. There was a conference held in 1956 in which eminent scholars like John Mc Carthy, Marvin Mirsky, Allen Newell, Herbert Simon etc presided. The credit for this discovery is mainly attributed to them.

Computer began to solve algebra, understand logical reasoning and speak English. This left everyone spellbound. From 1960 onwards, efforts gathered momentum. Herbert Simon was so encouraged by the progress that he enthusiastically announced that the computer would do everything that man is doing in the coming 20 years. Marvin Mirsky added, ‘In this generation itself, artificial intelligence would be used.’ Their predictions began to come true exactly 20 years later. It began to be successful in business; and by 1965, business expanded to billions of dollars. There was some opposition faced during the same year, but it was overcome and it began to progress and expand in several related fields. It scaled new heights of success during the 1990s and early part of 21st century. Now, this technology is used in logistics, data mining, medical diagnostics and other technical business sectors.

There are many advantages of cognitive computing. It is proving to be beneficial in the present speed of lifestyle.  The concept of cognitive computing started with intelligent computer. But these initial experiments had their own limitations because those systems could not learn from their experience. It is true that some kind of intelligence could be placed in the computer but not enough such that it could take decisions on its own or to be able to analyze trivial situations and give out solutions for the same. Because of this, the enthusiasm towards developing artificial intelligence received a slight setback. There came some situations where they were afraid if they were getting entangled in the web of imaginations. But this situation did not last long and they could see the rays of success slowly streaming in.

Since the computer is related to the functioning of human brain, it was imperative that they understood the underlying secrets of the brain. As and when the functioning of different layers of brain began to be understood, it gave a ray of hope to the scientists working in this field. In the decade of 1990, artificial intelligence was given the name of cognitive computer. By then scientists had built a computer that could work faster than the human brain and they have adopted the method of reverse engineering to mimic the human brain. Currently, they are working on building a computer that can analyze and solve a series of incidents and experiences with the help of neural networks.

With the help of cognitive computer technology and chromology (the psychology of color) there have been efforts in reconstructing the brain. Since this will not be just a computer, it will be a very unique and effective gadget of the world. It will be capable of thinking and analyzing also. According to scientists, the knowledge about neural networks is of immense help in developing computer technology such that the computer is capable of logical reasoning, evaluating alternatives and be able to make the right choice under an extreme situation. Scientists working on this technology claim that human brain is like a machine and hence it is not impossible to mimic its behavior. This is not the complete truth. It is possible to mimic the structure of the brain, but it is impossible to build the mind. Brain is like a machine but this machine is controlled by the mind. Even if the scientists are able to build something like the brain, it will be a commendable job.

As scientists gained more insight into the structure and composition of the brain, there has been greater progress in the journey of artificial intelligence because it is closely dependent on the understanding of the activities and functioning of the brain. One of the milestones worth mentioning during this journey is the discovery of ‘Smart Computer’.  This computer is capable of taking voice inputs and executing verbal commands. Now, we can operate the computer not with the use of hands but by issuing verbal commands. This is being extensively used in the most modern corporate world. In addition to this, the technology has been incorporated in the machinery that shows the direction for airplanes and ships. During normal conditions, this machinery is capable of controlling these vehicles. Car manufacturers are also taking active interest in incorporating this technology so that they can build cars that can think and understand on their own and can operate without a driver. In the near future, we might see cars on the roads that are completely mechanized and are operated without a driver. The number of accidents might reduce from what it is today.

This revolution in computer science will be of great help in the field of defence. It is a challenge from the scientists that by 2025, there will be no need to send human soldiers into the war field. Instead, we will see Drone aircrafts and robot soldiers fighting the most critical wars. Not only this, we can also treat an injured brain using this technology. The scientists of the University of Southern California have created electronic equipment that can be installed in the body such that it can control the natural processes like ageing etc. Because of this, the body can be kept youthful for a longer period of time.

Scientists proclaim that time is not far away when any kind of knowledge can be directly downloaded into the brain. They say that the future generations need not waste 15-20 years of their life in studying. The most complicated knowledge and skills can be programmed in the brain within a few seconds. The artificial circuitry made out of nano-material can increase the speed of brain and retention capacity by million times. Not only this, man will be able to share his emotions with the computer and it will be able to solve the psychological problems being faced by him. The science fiction movies of Hollywood might come forward as a reality! Scientists say that the increase or decrease in hormonal levels plays a prominent role in the flood of emotions that bombard the brain. They have a direct impact on the working of the individual. Such a problem will not be there with a computer because of which man will be capable of thinking deeply on any problem.

The visionary of Nanotech, John Burch does not think that cognitive computer is an imagination. According to him, by 2030 inorganic nano-material will replace the brain cells. With this, the capacity of the brain can be increased manifold. In addition, he says that the new brain will mimic our entire personality but will work million times better. It will be capable of increasing our memory to unimaginable levels. Also, the future brain will be able to think much faster. The reaction time of the brain currently is 0.1 seconds, and this will reduce to 50 nanoseconds (50 x 10-9 seconds). The brain will work more efficiently than any supercomputer.

Burch says that the brain can be made hi-tech. According to him, a pill made of nano-technology can be taken such that nano-beats are made to enter the body which can form new nerves.  These artificial nerves will gradually replace the old nerves. The brain will not even be aware of this replacement and within six months, the person will be able to feel the power of the new brain. An expert in cybernetics says that the technology of cognitive computer will make artificial organs a common thing. This is not possible in medical science today and hence addition of this capability will be a big value-add. By 2050, this will become as widely used as mobile phones today.

Artificial intelligence and its uses are quite revolutionary and welcome but it should not be mistaken that a man can be completely made. Scientific development should be for man and not for making man inferior to the machine. There is difference between natural and artificial. Man is a product of nature and so is human brain and mind which are an integral part of brain. It is fine if the capacity of brain is increased, but it is important that it is used for the welfare of humanity and not merely for the sake of business. There should be a blend of emotions and intelligence. Without emotions, everything is incomplete and lopsided.  And the right emotion can be got by selfless service. Hence there should be integration of science and spirituality (which is predominantly based on noble emotions) for overall welfare of humanity.