The Power of Artificial Intelligence: Unveiling the Marvels of Human Brain and the Need for Humanities in Engineering

The Power of Artificial Intelligence: Unveiling the Marvels of Human Brain and the Need for Humanities in Engineering

In a recent YouTube video titled "What is Artificial Intelligence?" by ExCampus, Professor Lee Ji-hyeong from the Software Department at Sungkyunkwan University discusses the incredible capabilities of AI. He starts by explaining that a CPU with a clock speed of 3 gigahertz can perform 3 billion calculations per second. While 3 billion may seem like a commonplace number in today's technology-driven world, Professor Lee emphasizes that it represents an astonishing feat. To put it into perspective, he poses a question: How far can light travel in one-thirtieth of a second? The answer is precisely 10 centimeters, as light travels at a speed of 300,000 kilometers per second. Dividing this by 3 billion results in 10 centimeters, a distance that is incredibly small and fleeting.

Professor Lee goes on to compare the computational power of a CPU to that of the human brain. While a typical CPU can perform 1,000 calculations per second, the brain, with its billions of neurons, can perform an astronomical number of calculations simultaneously. By multiplying the number of neurons by the average number of connections each neuron has, a mind-boggling figure of 1 followed by 18 zeros is obtained. This number is so immense that it is nearly impossible for us to comprehend. To put it into perspective, Professor Lee mentions that if we subtract 3 from this number, we are left with 1 billion raised to the power of 9, which is still an astronomical figure. Thus, the brain, with its 1 billion neurons, can be considered a simple calculation.

Continuing with this comparison, Professor Lee imagines stacking CPUs that represent the computational power of the brain. Assuming each CPU has a size of 5cm by 5cm by 1cm, stacking 1 billion CPUs would result in a structure that is 30 meters wide, 30 meters tall, and 30 meters thick. This colossal structure represents the computational power of the human brain and highlights the immense complexity and capability of our most vital organ.

However, the astonishing aspect of the brain's computational power is that it operates on a mere 20 watts of energy. This fact prompted Professor Lee to inquire about the energy consumption of the human body, and he discovered that when a person is doing absolutely nothing, the entire body consumes about 100 watts of energy. Considering that the brain accounts for 20% of the body's energy consumption, it is estimated that the brain uses around 20 watts. This realization further emphasizes the efficiency and marvel of the human brain.

The discussion of AI's computational power and the brain's capabilities brings us to the topic of bias in AI. In an article titled "'Prejudiced AI, Undermining the Value of Diversity...Why Engineers Need Humanities," the importance of humanistic knowledge in the field of engineering is emphasized. The article recounts an incident where developers were proposed to create game characters with an equal distribution of genders. However, the developers responded negatively, questioning the necessity of such an approach. This anecdote highlights the presence of bias in AI and the potential for it to undermine the value of diversity that humanity has fought so hard to achieve.

The integration of humanities into engineering is crucial to address and overcome this bias. Yoon Song-yi, the CEO of NCsoft, emphasizes this point in a symposium titled "Digital Humanities: Convergent Strategies for the Post-AI Era." Yoon stresses that engineers need to study ethics, philosophy, and other humanities disciplines. He believes that universities around the world are already incorporating a blend of engineering and humanities education to foster a new generation of professionals who can utilize technology in a human-centric approach. By considering ethical aspects in their work, these professionals can ensure that technology serves humanity in a positive and inclusive manner.

In conclusion, the power of AI and the capabilities of the human brain are awe-inspiring. The comparison between the computational abilities of CPUs and the brain highlights the remarkable feat achieved by humanity. Moreover, the discussion of bias in AI emphasizes the need for engineers to possess knowledge in humanities to prevent the erosion of diversity. To embrace this interdisciplinary approach, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Emphasize the importance of humanities education: Encourage engineers and developers to incorporate humanities courses into their curriculum. This will provide them with the necessary tools to consider ethical implications and societal impact.

2. Foster interdisciplinary collaboration: Encourage collaboration between engineering and humanities departments to bridge the gap between technical expertise and ethical considerations. This collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that prioritize human well-being.

3. Promote diversity and inclusivity: Encourage the development of diverse teams in engineering and AI research. By incorporating a variety of perspectives and experiences, biases can be identified and mitigated, leading to more inclusive and fair technologies.

By incorporating these actions, we can harness the power of AI while ensuring that it aligns with our values and respects the diversity of humanity.