AI research to boom

AlphaGo's victory in Go is good news for artificial intelligence as well as human intelligence. Its victory means AI is improving fast thanks to human intelligence.

AlphaGo's performance is likely to start a global wave in AI research, which would help AI to play a bigger role in sectors such as medicine, education and manufacturing.

But AlphaGo's victory has also raised concerns that AI might eventually control, even enslave humans, as depicted in some science fiction movies. Such concerns are unnecessary, at least for the time being. Even the best AI cannot match human intelligence, which is unique in accumulating experience and thinking creatively and independently. Also, scientists are far from clear how exactly the human brain functions. So how can there be a perfect imitation of the human brain? The greatest advantage of AI is its computing speed, which far surpasses that of humans. But it can learn and improve its strategies, not think independently. Machines running on AI can only execute the orders given to them and they seem to be doing it well.

However, AI may be a cause for concern for us as individuals. AI may not be able to conquer the entire human race, but AI-propelled machines have been performing better than humans in sectors other than Go and chess as well. For instance, Foxconn has long been using robots on its assemble lines, while Google and Apple are testing unmanned vehicles. Since AI could replace humans in sectors that require repetitive manual labor in the future, the sense of urgency among workers is understandable. But that is no reason for China to fall behind in innovative technology R&D.

Zhang Zhouxiang is a writer with China Daily. zhangzhouxiang@chinadaily.com.cn