The Turing Test Vs the Fido Test

After dropping off my wife for physical therapy (knee replacement), I hit my local coffee establishment, where I shared a counter with a young man engaged in writing very complicated mathematics on his tablet.

I studied the math (upside down) for a minute.

I recognized a lot of the basics (my graduate degree was mostly math), but the composite of equations was quite foreign.

I chatted him up to find out what he did.  

He was a Carnegie-Mellon student working on machine learning.

Cool!  Tell me about it.

He explained a bit, and I mentioned that my daughter was one of the first three employees in the “customer success” division of the largest AI company — a parental brag, but also to suggest I was not completely clueless. The division, which had three people a year ago, had 400 now and would have 800 by this time next year.  A huge area of growth!  He was on the cutting edge of what was likely to be transformative technology.  Full applause!

I asked him about machine learning — how did it train?  

Were there rewards, punishments, and extinguishing?

Now it got interesting!

You see machine learning is, for the most part, the mythical “blank slate” that does not actual exist in the world of animals and plants.  

When building machine learning modules you are not, for the most part, pushing up against instinct.

Everything the machine is learning is a neutral trick, which is to say rewards are everything.

This young fellow mentioned that his roommate was putting together a start up. I noted there was a lot of money in the world of tech, but that I was waiting for the geeks to win the “Fido Test” rather the Turing Test.

The Fido Test?

I explained that it was a very simple one of my own design.  

Dog trainers charge $4,000 for a board and train that covers basic instruction.

Surely AI and simple robotics could train a dog to come when called, follow close, do a “down-stay” and a few other basic commands?

All the technology already existed — GPS for location, a simple feed chute, e-collars with sound, vibration, tapping stimulation, etc.  

This is a multi-multi-million dollar idea, I said, that would transform the lives of dogs and people. 

I had to run at that point, but I could see a few cogs turning in his mind.  

It’s unlikely he will operationalize what I suggested, but someone will soon enough, of that I can guarantee!

The future is coming fast.

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The picture is of Alan Turing, who is the face on the 50£ bill.  Few people did more to benefit man, or were treated more dispicably, than Alan Turing.  See >> https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing