The Future of AI: A Gonzo Journey into Deep Learning¶
Source: https://www.wte.net/Blog/June-2023/The-Future-of-AI-A-Gonzo-Journey-into-Deep-Learning
Date: June 2023
Author: Martin W Smith
The piece opens with a gonzo-style narrative inspired by Hunter S. Thompson's literary approach. The author describes beginning a journey with a character named Razor Rumble to explore artificial intelligence and deep learning, using desert and Las Vegas as metaphorical settings.
Big Bats Landing on my Face¶
The narrative describes driving toward Vegas while exploring deep learning concepts. The section explains that "deep learning is a psychedelic exploration of artificial intelligence, using deep neural networks to create computational models capable of learning and adapting."
The author contrasts different neural network types: convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image processing and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) for sequence data, with transformers described as "the true kings of natural language processing," specifically highlighting GPT-4.
The section concludes by raising ethical concerns about creating machines that learn faster than humans and questions about controlling artificial intelligence.
Copious Amounts of Data¶
This section discusses how deep learning models require vast datasets and computational power, similar to how Las Vegas is built on excess.
What is Deep Learning¶
Razor explains that deep learning is a machine learning subfield using artificial neural networks inspired by human brain structure. He clarifies that "deep" refers to multiple network layers with interconnected neurons processing information hierarchically, enabling models to recognize abstract patterns and improve performance across various tasks.
Applications mentioned include:
- Image recognition
- Speech recognition
- Natural language processing
- Game playing
The section concludes by attributing deep learning's growth to large-scale datasets, GPU advancements, cloud computing, and novel algorithms.