Dr. Reger's Rhetorical Analysis

I enjoyed Dr. Reger’s presentation regarding artificial intelligence. Giving background to AI, Reger noted that AI was a branch of computer science that attempts to create machines of intelligent behavior. AI formally started in 1956 at Dartmouth college by John McCarthy. I like how he made the distinction between artificial intelligence and machine learning, by stating that artificial intelligence was really “not that intelligent.” Reger stated that implementing machine learning over artificial intelligence is more beneficial and efficient as you can give feedback to how the machine is functioning; thus creating learning over time and creating a “smarter machine.” Importantly, machine learning is a subdivision of the broader topic of artificial

intelligence. Reger’s presentation focused primarily on machine learning because he felt it was a more practical implementation of AI.
I think it’s pretty cool how today’s machine learning is modeled after the real neural network of the human brain. Artificial neural networks have individual sensors similar to individual neurons that can be found in a human brain, that communicate with one another and have different thresholds for activation. The human brain is composed of billions of neurons, though not to this scale in AI, they too have many “neurons” or sensors depending on the machine and its purpose. As a machine becomes more experienced and has learned more about a specific type of data, the threshold to respond is lower and more efficient. If a task is very complex and requires more time, this can be referred to as “deep learning.” Additional levels of artificial neural networks are required to process such a task.
Reger also discussed how AI may affect the job market. Though this concept of machines replacing humans may seem like a relative new idea, these same thoughts were felt with the introduction of the steam engine and rail road system for instance. Reger noted that he had no clue how AI would affect the job market and that its effect really depended on your viewpoint; whether you were an optimist or pessimist. All in all, I agree that AI should be implemented in an ethical and moral fashion, as they may discriminate in the future and cause problems. We must control how these machines operate and make decisions. With great power comes great responsibility.