The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence) Are We Being Honest About How Difficult AI Really Is? w/ David Ferrucci - TWiML Talk #268
May 23, 2019
David Ferrucci, Founder and CEO of Elemental Cognition and former leader of the IBM Watson team, dives into the complexities of AI development. He discusses the crucial role of human-like understanding in AI and the significant investments needed to reach even modest milestones. Ferrucci shares insights on the evolution of perceptions around AI, the power of hybrid systems, and the importance of transparency in AI decision-making. His journey from Watson's creation to current challenges highlights the need for robust metrics and diverse teams in AI development.
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Ferrucci's AI Origin Story
- David Ferrucci's interest in AI began in high school, sparked by the realization that computers could automate thought processes.
- This led him to pursue computer science, eventually building the IBM Watson team.
Post-Watson and Bridgewater
- After Watson's Jeopardy win, IBM focused on commercialization, but Ferrucci wanted deeper language understanding.
- He joined Bridgewater, a hedge fund valuing explicable AI, which aligned with his vision.
The Power of Probabilities
- Displaying Watson's answer panel with probabilities helped people perceive the system as more than just lookup.
- It hinted at a deeper reasoning process, which increased engagement and interest in AI.