Companies love to brag about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) even where it is essentially meaningless, but AI in its current state is still pretty simple. While it can produce useful results, AI is unable to clearly explain why it came to such results. However, DARPA sees an opportunity to take a step forward in this area.
The FDA is launching a research program to advance new concepts in AI, including third-wave AI, capable of contextual adaptation and able to intelligibly explain its decisions. For example, if the AI recognizes a cat, it can explain that it identified fur, legs, and whiskers in the familiar cat shape.
DARPA hopes to accelerate progress in this direction. They promise streamlined processes that will launch projects three months after the funding is offered - you don't necessarily have to expect breakthrough AI results for years.
Of course, the AI industry doesn't depend on DARPA's plans. It's possible that companies will just as quickly create third-wave AI in their own way, but the DARPA program can accelerate the work of these companies. She also shows that the pioneers of AI are ready to move beyond today's basic machine learning to an AI that really thinks, not just grinds data.
Vadim Tarabarko