Major blow to AI tech firms as experts find flaw in robots' ability to tell time
Technology
They struggle to answer because to do so requires a combination of image processing
(Web Desk) - Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator would probably have been late — because AI cannot tell the time.
The cybernetic android would have fluffed travelling back from 2029 to 1984 in order to kill Sarah Connor.
But its chance to rub out the mother of the youngster destined to lead the human uprising against the evil AI Skynet would have been missed, a study suggests.
That is because AI computers still come up short when questioned about images of wall clocks and calendars.
They struggle to answer because to do so requires a combination of image processing, spatial awareness, understanding context and maths.
Researcher Rohit Saxena, of Edinburgh University, said: “Our findings show a significant gap in the ability of AI to carry out what are quite basic skills for people.
“Most people can tell the time and use calendars from an early age.
“These shortfalls must be addressed if AI systems are to be successfully integrated into real-world applications.”
AI has made advances in harvesting information, writing and creating images and videos.
Ministers hope it will boost productivity in public services including the NHS where algorithms can analyse, scan and test results rapidly and accurately.
