Intelligence and ImplantsIntelligence and Implants

Kevin WarwickKevin Warwick

University of ReadingUniversity of Reading

1414thth September 2007 September 2007

What is Intelligence? What is Intelligence?

• Many dictionary definitions – Many dictionary definitions – quickness of thought, knowledge, quickness of thought, knowledge, comprehension, gathering comprehension, gathering information?information?

• Mental processes sufficient for life.Mental processes sufficient for life.

• Ability to make appropriate and Ability to make appropriate and timely choices.timely choices.

Nature –versus-NurtureNature –versus-Nurture

• How much of our intelligence is due How much of our intelligence is due to our genes (programming) and how to our genes (programming) and how much is due to learning (the much is due to learning (the environment)?environment)?

• Twin studiesTwin studies

• Adopted siblingsAdopted siblings

• Typical latest – 80/20 in favour of Typical latest – 80/20 in favour of genes/nature.genes/nature.

Intelligence TestsIntelligence Tests

• An intelligence test measures the degree to An intelligence test measures the degree to which tester and subject think alike – which tester and subject think alike – Subjective Intelligence.Subjective Intelligence.

• “ “Everyone is World Champion at some Everyone is World Champion at some game” (Ross Ashby) – You are the most game” (Ross Ashby) – You are the most intelligent person in the world !!!intelligent person in the world !!!

• Positive links with examination results Positive links with examination results though – indicate performance in specific though – indicate performance in specific areas.areas.

Subjective IntelligenceSubjective Intelligence

• What we regard as being an intelligent What we regard as being an intelligent act, and what not, is very subjectiveact, and what not, is very subjective

• Human centred – e.g. jokesHuman centred – e.g. jokes

• Animal centred – bat’s ultrasonic senseAnimal centred – bat’s ultrasonic sense

• Machine centred – maths, memoryMachine centred – maths, memory

Intelligence HypersphereIntelligence Hypersphere

• Intelligence is not something that Intelligence is not something that can be indicated by a single number can be indicated by a single number (IQ)(IQ)

• Intelligence is multifacettedIntelligence is multifacetted

Can we improve mental Can we improve mental performance?performance?

• What have studies shown thus far? What have studies shown thus far? (Orange/Lead)(Orange/Lead)

• Fun with IQ tests!!!Fun with IQ tests!!!• Two sets of results.Two sets of results.• Q1: If I wish to improve my mental Q1: If I wish to improve my mental

performance in the short term – what performance in the short term – what can I do?can I do?

• Q2: Can the food I regularly eat affect Q2: Can the food I regularly eat affect my mental performance?my mental performance?

Experiment 1:Experiment 1:

• 200 first year students at Reading 200 first year students at Reading University given an IQ test, then an activity University given an IQ test, then an activity + food, then another IQ test.+ food, then another IQ test.

• How did their results change over that short How did their results change over that short time period? (IQ points score)time period? (IQ points score)

• Trying to answer the question “What is it Trying to answer the question “What is it best to do immediately before an best to do immediately before an examination, to maximize your examination, to maximize your performance?” performance?”

Results - FoodResults - Food

• Alcohol 0Alcohol 0

• Chocolate -2Chocolate -2

• Coffee +3Coffee +3

• Orange Juice -2Orange Juice -2

• Peanuts +1Peanuts +1

Results - ActivityResults - Activity

• Reading/Swatting -6Reading/Swatting -6• Listening to classical music -2Listening to classical music -2• Watching a chat show on TV +5Watching a chat show on TV +5• Playing with a construction toy -4 Playing with a construction toy -4 • Sitting/Chatting -2Sitting/Chatting -2• Watching a documentary on TV +4Watching a documentary on TV +4• Walking +1Walking +1• Meditating +2 Meditating +2 • Watching Friends on TV +1Watching Friends on TV +1• Completing a crossword puzzle 0Completing a crossword puzzle 0

Experiment 2:Experiment 2:

• 50 children (aged 8-11) at Thameside 50 children (aged 8-11) at Thameside School, Caversham were given regular School, Caversham were given regular breakfasts over a one month period.breakfasts over a one month period.

• They were tested at start/end and during They were tested at start/end and during to see how their performance altered.to see how their performance altered.

• IQ equivalent tests in numerical IQ equivalent tests in numerical ability/word association/shape recognition.ability/word association/shape recognition.

Results – BreakfastResults – Breakfast

• Toast + Orange Juice +3Toast + Orange Juice +3

• Bacon Sandwich +3Bacon Sandwich +3

• Control 0Control 0

• Cereal -1Cereal -1

• Eggs (various) -5Eggs (various) -5

On Machine IntelligenceOn Machine Intelligence

• What exactly is machine intelligence What exactly is machine intelligence (AI)?(AI)?

• Raises questions as to what is life.Raises questions as to what is life.

• Importantly – can machine intelligence Importantly – can machine intelligence ever surpass human intelligence? ever surpass human intelligence?

Steven HawkingSteven Hawking

• ““In contrast with our intellect, computers In contrast with our intellect, computers double their performance every 18 double their performance every 18 months.”months.”

• ““The danger is real that they could The danger is real that they could develop intelligence and take over the develop intelligence and take over the world.”world.”

• ““We must develop as quickly as possible We must develop as quickly as possible technologies that make a direct technologies that make a direct connection between brain and computer.”connection between brain and computer.”

Cyborg studiesCyborg studies

• Is it possible to take the best of human and Is it possible to take the best of human and machine intelligence and combine them?machine intelligence and combine them?

• Implant technology.Implant technology.

• Linking human nervous system/brain to the Linking human nervous system/brain to the Computer.Computer.

• Seeking to combine human and machine Seeking to combine human and machine intellects.intellects.

CYBORG 1CYBORG 1

CYBORG 2CYBORG 2

AimsAims

To create a closed loop interface between a biological network and a robot

IntranetBiological neural networkGrown directly on to Multi-electrode array

Robot running on powered floor

Dimensionality reduction,

storage, spike train analysis

Culture – Robot

mapping, Machine

learning etc.

ApproachApproach• Culture brain cells directly on to a recording surface and re-

embody the ‘brain’ within a robotic body.

– Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) allows recording from 128 allows recording from 128 electrodes across the entire electrodes across the entire culture.culture.

Neurone

TiN Electrodes30m diameter

200m

CYBORG 3CYBORG 3

CYBORG 4CYBORG 4

Super IntelligenceSuper Intelligence

• We can certainly improve our human mental We can certainly improve our human mental performance to a point – examples given. performance to a point – examples given.

• It is possible for a human to design and build a It is possible for a human to design and build a machine which is capable of solving problems machine which is capable of solving problems that are far beyond the scope of any human.that are far beyond the scope of any human.

• An intelligent machine network is quite possible.An intelligent machine network is quite possible.• Cyborgs also possible – extra-senses, memory Cyborgs also possible – extra-senses, memory

upgrades, thought communication etc.upgrades, thought communication etc.• Training a Cyborg – just by a software Training a Cyborg – just by a software

download?download?

Contact InformationContact Information

• Web site: Web site: www.kevinwarwick.comwww.kevinwarwick.com

• Email: Email: k.warwick@reading.ac.ukk.warwick@reading.ac.uk

• Tel: (44)-1189-318210Tel: (44)-1189-318210

• Fax: (44)-1189-318220Fax: (44)-1189-318220

• Professor Kevin Warwick, Department Professor Kevin Warwick, Department of Cybernetics, University of Reading, of Cybernetics, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AY,UKWhiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AY,UK