Uber’s AI beats troublesome games with new type of reinforcement learning

Video games have become a proving ground for AIs and Uber has shown how its new type of reinforcement learning has succeeded where others have failed. Some of mankind’s most complex games, like Go, have failed to challenge AIs from the likes of DeepMind. Reinforcement learning trains algorithms by running scenarios repeatedly with a ‘reward’ given for successes, often a score increase. Two classic games from the 80s – Montezuma’s Revenge and Pitfall! – have thus far been immune to...

27 November 2018 | Reinforcement Learning

Experts warn of AI disasters leading to research lockdown

Experts from around the world have warned of potential AI disasters that could lead to a subsequent lockdown of research. Andrew Moore, the new head of AI at Google Cloud, is one such expert who has warned of scenarios that would lead to public backlash and restrictions that would prevent AI from reaching its full potential. Back in November, Moore spoke at the Artificial Intelligence and Global Security Initiative. In his keynote, he said:

"If an AI disaster...

13 September 2018 | Government

Uber is using AI to determine if a ride is business or pleasure

On-demand transportation firm Uber is using artificial intelligence to determine whether a ride is for business or pleasure. The company is using the data for a new feature called ‘Profile Recommendations’ whereby the app will recommend switching to a correct profile for your journey. Many people will have two Uber profile – one for personal use, and the other for business. Ronnie Gurion, GM and Global Head of Uber for Business, says:

“Using machine...

14 August 2018 | Travel

Uber wants to develop an intoxication-detecting algorithm

uber ai algorithm drunk assault

Uber has filed a patent for a machine learning algorithm which can predict whether a rider is sober or not to improve the safety of its service. The sobriety of a passenger is a big factor in the safety of both driver and rider. Drivers have been assaulted by inebriated passengers, and most of the sexual assaults conducted against Uber riders by drivers have been while they were intoxicated. According to a CNN investigation, at least 103 Uber drivers have been accused of sexually assaulting...

12 June 2018 | Machine Learning