Google has been known to pump money into all kinds of high-tech research projects at computer science departments all over the world. In this case, a group of researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel are working on technology that will teach computers to feel “regret” for their decisions. The goal is to allow computers to learn from their mistakes when they’re presented with the same or similar decisions in the future.
The aim of the project is to enable artificial intelligences (AIs) to manage the decision-making process when they’re presented with choices, and to remember logically whether or not the choice ended in success or failure. “Regret” is something of a misnomer, since the goal isn’t to make computers “feel” anything so much as learn from their mistakes and minimize the probability they’ll make an unsuccessful or inefficient choice in the future.
Google funds project to teach computers regret, sadly won't lead to apologetic machines
We've seen a rather creepy array of robots programmed to mimic human emotions, but teaching a machine to feel regret? Now, that's a new one. With funding from Google, a team of Tel Aviv University researchers is working on an algorithm to teach computers to learn from their experiences, thus reducing instances of "virtual regret." According to the team's lead, such an algorithm would allow servers and routing systems to more efficiently deal with internet traffic, by recognizing and documenting things like sudden spikes in traffic or increased attention to an online product. Basically, the more they learn from their past inadequacies, the more effectual the machines become. Google's apparently interested in the potential impact on programs like AdSense and Link Removed - Invalid URL. Now, if they could just teach online advertisers a sense of shame... Full PR after the break.
