IBM Learning Chip

Are Days Of The Terminator Getting Closer?

IBM have developed a computer system, consisting of two chips, one has 262,144 programmable synapses, while the other contains 65,536 learning synapses, it works in a similar way to brain synapses. When new information is received into the learning chip this little beauty is capable of perceiving the more important information and deciding to use it, whilst applying to a lesser degree, the input that proving to be less helpful.

Some forward thinkers are predicting a future where this technology will reach a tipping point where machine consciousness is possible. However there are those that are more conservative, like Dr Mark Bishop, professor of cognitive computing at Goldsmiths, he says " I understand cognition to be something over and above a process simulated by the execution of mere computations, see such claims as verging on the magical."


IBM has been awarded grant money from US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), $21m USD, for it's work on the synapses project, that make a person wonder.
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Google Takes Over More

Google are now owners of Motorola Mobility giving giving them patents to around 17,000 mobiles and thousands more pending.

Its purchase of Motorola Mobility (for $12.5 billion) gives Google ownership of 17,000 mobile patents, with thousands more pending. Because of this shares have risen in Samsung and HTC by 4% and 2% respectively.

There are those that are not fans of Google, I can see their point, Google are posed to take over the cyber world, is this a bad thing? When Google have taken over every thing except perhaps Apple, what will the world be in for then?



Of course it all depends on how you look at things, the latest acquisition means Android software licensed phones, could now and in the future, receive patent lawsuit protection.

"Google is a massive global software company with huge profit margins, genius engineers, extraordinarily high pay scales and a near-monopoly on the most amazing advertising business the world has ever seen," Blodget wrote. "Motorola is a has-been, low-margin, global hardware-manufacturing business that operates at break-even."
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Why Is BP Oil Having Trouble Expanding?

Is it that people do not want to be associated with BP oil, (who can forget the catastrophic mistakes of late) or is there a huge shortage of skilled engineers?

According the the latest research from industry body Opito, the Oil and gas industry is expected to create over 15000 new jobs in the UK alone, over the next five years.

BP's head of North Sea operations Trevor Garlick, says the company could struggle to fill roles, as getting hold of the right people is an issue for BP. In July they announced three billion pounds will be invested in redeveloping two oil fields, in the North Sea.

Any British engineers what to work for BP on the Job training supplied?

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