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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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'
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.
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?
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.