NELL Learns to Speak Our Language
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a new form of AI that, unlike the traditional, is capable of learning language similar to the way a human learns. “Her” name is NELL and she is one of a kind. NELL receives input from all across the internet and is able to put together correlations, ultimately understanding the semantics of the language. For the most part, computers are programmed to solve problems or to carry out certain tasks. The product may seem intelligent, but it’s actually just the result of the specific programming. It is designed for, and is limited to certain functions. However, NELL is a step above average artificial intelligence and is part of an exciting leap forward in the field.
NELL Takes AI Technology to the Next Level
The approach in creating NELL seems simplistic. First, NELL was configured with an initial ontology defining hundreds of categories and relations, like person and playsOnTeam, respectively. Secondly, 10 to 15 examples were provided for each. From this, NELL was capable of learning all on her own, extracting her own categories and relations for herself. As she learns, NELL also keeps everyone updated on Twitter! For example, she tweeted “I think ‘alto recorder and viola‘ is a #musicinstrument”, using the context of the words to get a correct association. However, sometimes she is a little off, like when she thinks “blueberries recipes” is a fruit. She also thinks “sexual risk” is a board game. Now I’m a little out of the loop as far as board games are concerned, but I don’t think anyone is lining up to buy this one. At least I’m not. Since her launch in January 2010, she has learned over 440,000 facts with an accuracy of around 87%.
NELL is impressive, but she would not be in existence if it weren’t for some other advanced programming. Richard Wang, an alumnus of Carnegie Mellon, provided coding from his SEAL (Set Expansion for Any Language) system, one of NELL’s primary learning components. Along with the SEAL system, YAHOO’s M45 computing cluster is also utilized which allows NELL to easily process the massive amounts of information she gathers from over 500 million websites. I'm so jealous, NELL's parents are so much cooler than mine.
NELL is just another step in the ever-advancing field of AI technology. With developments like this, computers will be able to go on their own, slowly becoming self reliant and independent of human assistance, just like in the movies - The Matrix, I-Robot, etc. Instead of humans having to make and program computers for each specific task, computers, themselves, will be able to adapt and learn the processes of an infinite array of possible obstacles, tweeting along the way. Is this a good thing? I think so, at least up until the computers take over and harvest us like crops.
Now You're Just Showing Off
“Why” is always the first question to enter my mind concerning Twitter. I never really understood the obsession. I got on Twitter once. My screen name was filled with absurdities that read funny, just like when I played
The Oregon Trail as a kid - all my characters were named “My ____” - My Foot was stricken with dysentery, My Butt was mauled by a bear! I tweeted only once about capturing a live bat and leaving it on my mother’s kitchen table. No one cared, least of all me. Anyway, I never really took to Twitter. NELL, on the other hand, seems to love the engagement. Leads me to wonder; did she figure out how to use it by herself, or did a programmer design her to Tweet? Its my guess that Twitter was incorporated into NELL's programming and is merely a way to show off her capabilities. Even though I may not tweet, Twitter is a current and effective way to put NELL on display. Anyone up for some Sexual Risk?
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