This piece at the NYT is not a very inspired article but it does outline some basic Artificial Intelligence history and issues.      I think it remains *nearly impossible* for many to grasp the implications of the coming convergence of human and machine capabilities – a convergence that is going on at this very moment in subtle ways but which will likely blossom into something amazing within a decade, perhaps less.     The first self-aware computer is likely to be the last significant invention of humankind.    Not because it will destroy us, but because it will make our intellects *obsolete*.

The following “science fiction” inventions are alive and well *right now*:

Braingate and Emotiv Headset:    Mind control of computers

DARPA Autonomous Vehicles:  Cars that drive themselves through complex city traffic with *zero* human input

Blue Brain:  Supercomputer working simulation of a neocortical column of a rat.