Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!ucbcad!pasteur!ucbvax!gmr.COM!GODDEN
From: GODDEN@gmr.COM
Newsgroups: comp.ai.digest
Subject: Intelligent Nanocomputers
Message-ID: <8801180618.AA08132@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Date: 15 Jan 88 14:46:00 GMT
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I would like to recommend to the readers of ailist that they take a
look at the book >Engines of Creation< by K. Eric Drexler of MIT.
He presents in layman's terms the basics of nanotechnology, which
is the emerging field of molecular-sized machines, including computers.
(In the notes are references to technical works.)  Of particular 
interest to AI folks is the chapter on AI and nanocomputers.  Let me
just relate one item to give you a hint of what it's about.  Drexler
makes the fascinating claim (no doubt many will vehemently disagree)
that to create a true artificial intelligence it is not necessary to
first understand intelligence.  All one has to do is simulate the 
brain, which can be done given nanotechnology.  He suggests that a
complete hardware simulation of the brain can be done, synapse-for-
synapse and dendrite-for-dendrite, in the space of one cubic centimeter
(this figure is backed up in the notes).  Such a machine could then
just be allowed to run and should be able to accomplish a man-year of
work in ten seconds.  The unstated assumption is that a computer that
is isomorphic to the human brain will ipso facto be intelligent, and
presumably will be able to construct its own 'mental' models once power 
is supplied.  No need to supply it with software.  (I may be misinter-
preting the book on this point.)  Interesting reading in any case.
He even predicts (!) in chapter one that the initial nanomachines will 
be with us in ten to fifty years.  Forward is by Minsky.  In paperback.

-Kurt Godden
 godden@gmr.com