The nature of computing

Comment 1:

Artificial intelligence (AI)?

Follow-up:

AI is a big topic. We will explore some aspects of AI in later parts of the course. However, one thing that is useful for us now is: How would you define “intelligence”? Is playing chess an intelligent action?

Comment 2:

Weather forecasting?

Follow-up:

Weather forecasting is a grand challenge in the computing field. The reason is that the calculations involve using thousands of variables and complicated differential equations. Furthermore, the time line has also to be finely divided (e.g., in units of milli-seconds) in order to come up with accurate results. Thus, weather forecasting requires great amount of computing power. We will talk about the kind of computing power it needs. Moreover, we will pay a visit to the HK Observatory later to take a look at the machines used there.

Comment 3:

Playing football by robot is meaningful? I personally think that playing football is just a small step, and this small step will contribute a lot in the later development in robot design.

Follow-up:

Good point! Thank you!

Comment 4:

Would like to know the extent of technical knowledge needed/will be taught in the course.

Follow-up:

We will try our best to balance the need of technical knowledge versus the usefulness of the materials taught in the course. Your comments and criticisms are mostly welcome!

Comment 5:

I major in linguistics and I think speaking a language can be regarded as computing.

Follow-up:

Yes sure you are right! Very insightful comment!

Comment 6:

Google and Apple are not the only companies doing searches and smart-phones, respectively. Should not single out these companies.

Follow-up:

Thanks for the comment! I just thought that they are “representatives” in their industries and the names “Google” and “Apple” nowadays have become house-hold names. Yet you are right in that we should not pay too much focus on them, with respect to the technologies that they use.