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Q: What is the
ultimate goal of AI research?
A: There are probably as many opinions about the ultimate
goal of artificial intelligence (AI) research as
there are AI researchers. The answer to this
question has been controversial for decades within
the field of AI research.
There are those who believe—sometimes with great passion—that
technologists will one day be able to build a
computer with all the cognitive, memory, and
emotional capabilities of the human brain. These
people are sometimes called the “strong” AI
proponents. A few of these “strong” advocates
believe that computers will someday be more
intelligent than human beings. It is common to hear
such researchers say that this is the ultimate
frontier of science.
On the other hand, there are other AI researchers who think
that research into how human minds work can be
useful in building better computer systems,
regardless of whether we pursue a goal of full
machine intelligence. In other words, these “weak”
AI proponents believe that human cognition and its
applicability to computers is an interesting
research field in itself, and a field that may help
make computers easier to use, more useful to people,
and better at what computers are good at doing. The
products of this research may not resemble human
intelligence. Some “weak” AI proponents say that
computers are obviously superior to human beings at
some tasks, and it’s the job of AI research to
figure out how to optimize those capabilities,
instead of making computers more like people.
The ultimate answer to your question is that there is no
single answer. Each researcher—indeed, each observer
of the field of AI research—is likely to answer your
question differently.
Q: What is the most
useful computer language to learn these days?
A: The answer to this question is debated endlessly by
computer programmers and computer scientists. In
general, the answer depends on what you want to do
with computers and programming:
1. If you hope to work in the field of Web publishing or
e-commerce, the combination of Java, Structured
Query Language (SQL), and “middleware” programs such
as Active Server Pages (ASP) seems like a good bet.
2. If you’re interested in developing computer applications
for sale to PC customers, you might want to try C++
or its variations.
3. If you’re attracted by the claims of the open source
software movement and want to use the Linux or BSD
Unix operating systems, you’ll probably be combining
C++ with open source coding languages such as Perl,
PHP, mySQL, or Python.
4. If you’re just getting started and want to learn something
about programming and build some basic skills,
Microsoft’s Visual Basic for Windows and Real
Software’s RealBasic for the Macintosh are excellent
choices.
In general, there are two classes of languages that are
useful today: object-oriented languages such as Java
and C++, and database structure languages such as
SQL. In the long run, learning the basics of these
concepts will be the most valuable strategy.
Q: How does a hacker
hack?
A: The term hacker originally referred to a programmer who
develops computer programs by hacking the code until
it works, instead of using formal, structured
programming techniques. Many computer programmers
still use the word with this meaning. But the news
media has used the term hacker to refer to someone
who breaks into computer systems without
authorization, and this use of the word has stuck
with the public. (Computer experts often use the
word cracker for people who break into computer
systems.)
How do people break into, or hack into, computer systems?
There are many ways. Probably the most common way is
simply to try many different things until some
method works, which is the connection to the old
meaning of hacking. Hackers often try using pairs of
account names and passwords until one combination
grants them entry into the computer system. This is
why it’s important to keep your account name and
password secret and to change them every now and
then.
Hackers are also known to share information with one another
about how to break into systems. As computer
security gets more sophisticated, hackers do too.
This is an ongoing and probably permanent problem
for a society dependent on computers and computer
networks such as the Internet.
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