Chapter 29: Current & Emerging Trends Flashcards
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
The ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.
What are some examples of AI?
Self-driving cars, robots that impersonate humans, and machine learning.
What are the core challenges of AI?
Programming computers for knowledge reasoning, problem solving, perception, learning, planning, and the ability to manipulate and move objects.
What is machine learning?
A type of AI where computers can modify and write their own programs based on experience without human intervention.
What are some uses of AI in medicine?
Digital consultations, analysing test results, and health monitoring.
How is AI used in everyday life?
Recommendation algorithms (Amazon, Netflix), virtual assistants (Siri, Cortana), autopilot in aircraft, and financial transaction monitoring.
What is DNA?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the material that stores the genetic information of all organisms in their chromosomes.
How can DNA be used in computing?
DNA can be used to store digital information and has been researched for computational purposes.
What are the advantages of DNA computing?
Abundant supply, low cost, environmentally friendly, and extremely small size.
What is nanotechnology?
The manipulation of matter at a scale of 1 to 100 nanometres.
How is nanotechnology used in computing?
It enables the production of smaller transistors, such as carbon nanotube transistors, which can be faster and more energy efficient than silicon-based ones.
What are other uses of nanotechnology?
Self-cleaning glass, UV-protective clothing, scratch-resistant coatings, and targeted drug delivery in medicine.
What is quantum mechanics?
A branch of physics describing the behavior of very small subatomic particles, which can exist as both particles and waves.
What is a qubit?
A unit of quantum computing that can represent both 1 and 0 at the same time due to the principle of superposition.
How does quantum computing differ from classical computing?
Quantum computers can process multiple possibilities simultaneously using superposition and entanglement, whereas classical computers process one at a time.
What are some uses of quantum computing?
Battery simulation (Volkswagen), drug discovery (pharmaceutical companies), flight optimization (Airbus), and traffic flow optimization.
Why has computing technology changed rapidly?
To make computers more powerful and process more commands per second.
What has happened to computer component costs over time?
They have fallen dramatically while capabilities improved.
What is an industrial robot?
A robot that performs one task efficiently and repeatedly.
Why aren’t industrial robots considered intelligent?
They cannot adapt or learn new tasks on their own.
Why is machine learning important?
It allows computers to learn without human reprogramming.
Why is AI difficult to develop?
Scientists don’t fully understand how human intelligence works.
What are some AI applications in medicine?
Digital consultations, test result analysis, and health monitoring.
How does AI help in financial transactions?
It detects suspicious activity by spotting transaction patterns.
How does AI assist pilots?
Autopilot systems control most of the flight using sensors and GPS.
What is a DNA codon?
A combination of three DNA bases that store genetic information.
Why is DNA considered a digital storage system?
It stores data using four bases instead of binary (0s and 1s).
What is the main challenge in DNA computing?
It requires human assistance and takes time to analyze results.
Why is DNA storage considered promising?
It is compact, durable, and can last hundreds of thousands of years.
What problem does nanotechnology solve in processors?
It allows for smaller transistors, increasing performance.
What are carbon nanotubes used for?
To create faster, energy-efficient processors when silicon reaches its limits.
How does self-cleaning glass work?
UV light activates nanoparticles to break down dirt.
How does nanotechnology improve clothing?
It adds UV protection by coating fabrics with zinc oxide nanoparticles.
What is a key problem with quantum computing?
Qubits are fragile and sensitive to noise.
How do quantum computers speed up problem-solving?
They process multiple solutions at once using superposition.
What is entanglement in quantum computing?
A change in one qubit instantly affects its entangled pair.
Why is quantum computing still in early stages?
Qubits are difficult to maintain and errors occur easily.
What is an example of quantum computing in use?
Airbus uses it to optimize aircraft flight paths.
What is the significance of quantum computing in encryption?
It can break encryption codes much faster than classical computers.
