Smarter Than You Think
A series examining the recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotics and their potential impact on society.
Timeline
Building Smarter Machines
As computers grow ever smarter, a look at developments in the field of artificial intelligence.
The Watson Trivia Challenge
Part VIII
Google Cars Drive Themselves, in Traffic
By JOHN MARKOFF
A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University is fine-tuning a computer system that is trying to master semantics by learning more like a human.
Jeff Swensen for The New York Times
Dmitri Dolgov, a Google engineer, in a self-driving car parked in Silicon Valley after a road test.
Part VII
Aiming to Learn as We Do, a Machine Teaches Itself
By STEVE LOHR
A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University is fine-tuning a computer system that is trying to master semantics by learning more like a human.
Jeff Swensen for The New York Times
NELL’S TEAM Tom M. Mitchell, center, and, from left, William Cohen, Jayant Krishnamurthy, Justin Betteridge, Derry Wijaya and Bryan Kisiel.
Part VI
The Boss Is Robotic, and Rolling Up Behind You
By JOHN MARKOFF
Mobile robots have been used for years by the military and law enforcement, but with falling costs, the next frontiers are the office, the hospital and the home.
Sally Ryan for The New York Times
Dr. John Whapham, using a robot, discussed care with a patient at Loyola University Medical Center near Chicago.
Part V
Students, Meet Your New Teacher, Mr. Robot
By BENEDICT CAREY and JOHN MARKOFF
Computer scientists are developing machines that can teach people simple skills, like household tasks and vocabulary.
Stuart Isett for The New York Times
Andrea Thomaz, right, and Nick DePalma in 2009 with Simon, a robot being developed at Georgia Tech. Above left, Simon evaluating objects.
Part IV
A Soft Spot for Circuitry
By AMY HARMON
After years of effort to coax empathy from machines, robots and devices designed to soothe, support and keep us company are venturing out of the laboratory.
VIDEO: Bonding With Paro
Paro, the personal robot, provides companionship to residents of the Knollwood retirement community in Washington, D.C.
Part III
Merely Human? That’s So Yesterday.
By ASHLEE VANCE
The Singularity movement sees a time when human beings and machines will merge and overcome illness and perhaps death
VIDEO: The 'BrinBot'
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The robotic form of Sergey Brin made an appearance at a recent executive program at Singularity University.
Part II
Computers Learn to Listen, and Some Talk Back
Stuart Isett for The New York Times
In recent years, rapid progress has been made in machines that can listen, speak, see, reason and learn, in their way.
Part I
What Is I.B.M.’s Watson?
By CLIVE THOMPSON
The category is artificial intelligence. This question-answering computer system is ready to challenge some flesh-and-blood “Jeopardy!” champions.
VIDEO: How Does Watson Work?
In order to view this feature, you must download the latest version of flash player here.
Go behind the scenes in this video from I.B.M.
About This Series
Articles in this series, appearing in The New York Times in the coming months, will examine the recent advances in artificial intelligence and robotics and their potential impact on society.