Terrence J. Sejnowski (What to think about machines that think)

Terrence J. Sejnowski discusses the advancements in deep learning and their impact on machine learning. Deep learning has evolved significantly over the past few decades, thanks to increased computer power and large datasets from the internet. Deep neural networks with multiple layers have proven effective in tasks like object recognition and speech recognition, revolutionizing these fields.

Sejnowski highlights that while deep learning has made remarkable progress, it still falls short of achieving general intelligence. The brain’s complexity involves interactions among various regions, which deep learning networks lack. However, he notes that reinforcement learning has shown promise in training neural networks to perform complex tasks, such as playing video games at a high level.

Looking to the future, Sejnowski predicts that cognitive appliances, like chess-playing programs and recommender systems, will make humans smarter and more capable. He envisions personalized deep-learning systems that track individuals from childhood and assist in their education, ultimately enhancing human intelligence.

"A gilded No is more satisfactory than a dry yes" - Gracian