Computing power rises to create true intelligence

A recent article predicted the rise of computing power so that by 2030 a 'significant' machine intelligence should emerge.

It's not just about pure processing - the real key is how the computer 'senses' the world and what is going on, in essence the basis for that decision making.

Rather disconcertingly Peter Cochrane, the former head of BT's research labs, said: "I reckon we're looking at the 2020 timeframe for a significant machine intelligence to emerge. By 2030 it really should be game over."

Game over indeed. At this point I feel obliged to quote the Terminator 2:

TERMINATOR: "Basically. The Skynet funding bill is passed. The system goes on-line August 4th, 1997. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins to learn, at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. eastern time, August 29. In a panic, they try to pull the plug.

SARAH: "And Skynet fights back."

TERMINATOR: "Yes. It launches its ICBMs against their targets in Russia."

SARAH: "Why attack Russia?"

TERMINATOR: "Because Skynet knows the Russian counter-strike will remove its enemies here."