New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Apple AI Expert Says Computers Should Augment Human Capabilities

Tuesday April 25, 2017 1:29 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple product designer and Siri co-founder Tom Gruber gave a TED Talk today, where he covered his vision of the future of computers and artificial intelligence. Both Axios and Business Insider shared details on his talk.


According to Gruber, computers should be used to lessen human failings, like memory, and augment human capabilities. He believes computers should log every aspect of our lives, allowing us to remember every person we've met and every aspect about them, like favorite sports, family members, and name pronunciation.
"I believe AI will make personal memory enhancement a reality. I think it's inevitable," he said onstage, adding that he doesn't know when or how it will happen. [...]

Gruber imagines that this kind of technology will not only be useful for satisfying data geeks who want to optimize their health and happiness, but it could also assist those who suffer from diseases like dementia and schizophrenia. "It's the difference between a life of isolation and one of dignity and connection," he said.
Privacy, is of course, a key part of artificial intelligence and future computing capabilities. "We get to choose what is and is not recalled," said Gruber. "It's absolutely essential that this be kept very secure."

Apple has already taken the first steps towards linking artificial intelligence and memory, with its Photos app. Photos on Mac and iOS devices includes a "Memories" feature that intelligently organizes photos into dynamic events that can be relived through the app. It also incorporates facial recognition and deep levels of privacy - facial recognition features are not cross-device and do not sync over iCloud.

Gruber also highlighted other useful applications for artificial intelligence, like cancer detection and more advanced personal assistants like Siri.

Tags: Siri, artificial intelligence
[ 132 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
AngerDanger
23 months ago

Apple AI Expert [Tom Gruber] Says Computers Should Augment Human Failings

Augment • verb To make (something) greater by adding to it.



Rating: 34 Votes
Avatar
TheDetailsMatter
23 months ago
S1E3 of Black Mirror, anybody?
Rating: 21 Votes
Avatar
anshuvorty
23 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/04/25/apple-ai-expert-computers-augment-human-failings/')


He believes computers should log every aspect of our lives, allowing us to remember every person we've met and every aspect about them, like favorite sports, family members, and name pronunciation.


I have a problem with this blanket statement. There is a reason we forget things - it's to prevent things like depression and sadness. If we were able to remember every.single.thing. about every single person in our lives, it would be a mess.

IMHO, it is good that we forget some things and if we allow computers to remember everything about every person we met, instead of selectively choosing, by our own accord and powers, life would become even more difficult and chaotic than it already is.

Just my 2 cents...
Rating: 19 Votes
Avatar
Soccertess
23 months ago
Maybe he should start with just addressing Siri's failings.

And I know some people will hate me for saying it, but also Tim's failings!
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
Naraxus
23 months ago

He believes computers should log every aspect of our lives, allowing us to remember every person we've met and every aspect about them, like favorite sports, family members, and name pronunciation.


Yeah no. Not a chance in hell.
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
itsmilo
23 months ago
Cuz Siri on Mac is so amazing that i forgot it even was a thing until i saw this article :D
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
NachoGrande
23 months ago
I'm gonna go ahead and pass. If someone doesn't remember me... I don't need to remember them... If I don't remember them... Then I don't care enough...
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
thisisnotmyname
23 months ago
There will be many people that refuse integrating technology with ourselves for various reasons but this is going to usher in a new digital divide as those of us who embrace implants and other computer/human integrations will race ahead and the pace of technology makes it incredibly difficult for those who sat on the sidelines to catch up. I expect we'll have neo-luddites that almost become a different species (well vice versa I suppose) as AI produces exponential increases in (augmented) human intelligence. Expect some heated debate about access to bleeding edge technology for those without the means to acquire them independently. Also expect some disasters with those early adapters who get too far ahead of the curve and encounter catastrophic or even deadly bugs. Interesting times ahead everyone.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Wackery
23 months ago
maybe AI can design a mac/macbook that enthusiasts and pros actually want
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
AppleScruff1
23 months ago
Maybe Apple should start by augmenting Tim Cook.
Rating: 5 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]