The coming year may bring cameras that know how to make people look as good as possible

Discussion:  Devices are getting close to listening and learning to achieve a semblance of self-awareness which should benefit the user.  It seems likely that in 2012 a computer will pass the Turing Test, which means that computers will be able to mimic human responses.  Is that enough?  Humans have evolved to not just want a machine that acts like us, but we now want machines to take care of us and anticipate our needs.  We want devices that are contextually and situationally aware.

Source:  BBC News

Date:  January 1, 2011

Link:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16367039

Discussion Questions:

•  How has the contemporary definition of artificial intelligence changed over the last 30 years?
• How is the digital revolution that we are experiencing now similar to the industrial revolution of centuries past?