Insects to Help Create IA

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of the US Department of Defense (DARPA) has announced a competition to create a model of the nervous system of a gadfly (a winged insect). The prize fund is $1...

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of the US Department of Defense (DARPA) has announced a competition to create a model of the nervous system of a gadfly (a winged insect). The prize fund is $1 million. According to the Agency’s employees, the model will serve as a basis for the development of artificial intelligence.

The plan is to equip the robot with a state-of-the-art interface enabling it to become fully self-learning. The artificial intelligence will use the principle on which insect nerve cells operate. The scientists have realized that we still have a long way to go to create an AI comparable to that of a human being, because our brain consists of billions of neurons. Simpler-structured creatures like gadflies are a much more realistic option at the moment.

The proposed approach will help to optimize the resources and make a significant progress in designing self-learning systems. The goals of creating the robot are not yet specified, however attention should be paid to the fact that the project is being funded by the military department.