Deep learning in combination with improved training techniques and high computational power has led to recent advances in the field of reinforcement learning (RL) and to successful robotic RL applications such as in-hand manipulation. However, most robotic RL relies on a well known initial state distribution. In real-world tasks, this information is however often not available. For example, when disentangling waste objects the actual position of the robot w.r.t.\ the objects may not match the positions the RL policy was trained for. To solve this problem, we present a novel adversarial reinforcement learning (ARL) framework. The ARL framework utilizes an adversary, which is trained to steer the original agent, the protagonist, to challenging states. We train the protagonist and the adversary jointly to allow them to adapt to the changing policy of their opponent. We show that our method can generalize from training to test scenarios by training an end-to-end system for robot control to solve a challenging object disentangling task. Experiments with a KUKA LBR+ 7-DOF robot arm show that our approach outperforms the baseline method in disentangling when starting from different initial states than provided during training.

Game theory is one of the most fascinating areas of mathematics that have influenced diverse fields such as economics, social sciences, biology and, obviously, computer science. Games are playing a key role in the evolution of artificial intelligence(AI). For starters, game environments are becoming a popular training mechanism in areas such as reinforcement learning or imitation learning. In theory, any multi-agent AI system can be subjected to gamified interactions between its participants. The branch of mathematics that formulates the principles of games is known as game theory.

Researchers are now able to take preventive actions against energetic electrons through a two-day notice delivered by a sophisticated computer model. A new machine learning computer system precisely foresees harmful radiation storms triggered by the Van Allen belts two days before the storm takes place. It is the most developed notice that currently exists, as per a new study published in the journal Space Weather. "Radiation storms from the Van Allen belts can damage or even knock out satellites orbiting in medium and high altitudes above the Earth, but predicting these storms has always been a challenge," said Yue Chen, a space scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and principal investigator on the project funded by both NASA and NOAA. "Given that the Van Allen Probes, which provided important data about space weather, recently de-orbited, we no longer have direct measurements about what's happening in the outer electron radiation belt. Our new model uses existing data sets to'learn' patterns and predict future storms so satellite operators can take protective measures, including temporarily shutting down part of or even the whole satellite to avoid damage," Chen added.

AI has become so pervasive, almost every software vendor laying claim to today's most hyped technology. In fact, Gartner's latest Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies uncerimoniously drops machine learning from its infamous curve. Hang on -- see what I did there? I used "AI" and "machine learning" interchangeably, which should get me busted by the artificial thought police. The first thing you need to know about AI (and machine learning) is that it's full of confusing, overlapping terminology, not to mention algorithms with functions that are opaque to all but a select few.

MIT researchers have developed a bot equipped with artificial intelligence that can beat human players in tricky online multiplayer games where player roles and motives are kept secret. Many gaming bots have been built to keep up with human players. Earlier this year, a team from Carnegie Mellon University developed the world's first bot that can beat professionals in multiplayer poker. DeepMind's AlphaGo made headlines in 2016 for besting a professional Go player. Several bots have also been built to beat professional chess players or join forces in cooperative games such as online capture the flag.

MIT SMR Connections is the custom content creation unit within MIT Sloan Management Review. We surveyed over 2,000 business executives and managers to learn how AI is changing the rules for management. Our results reveal that successful AI implementation requires leaders to drive more collaboration across functions, rethink IT road maps and processes, and invest in workforce training. This infographic highlights our research findings and can help you prepare for the changes you need to make in order to reap the benefits of AI. Click on the image to view the full-size version.

Roboticists are working to make the technology more responsive, flexible, and intuitive to help reduce the burden of adapting to a new machine, but it still requires that the robots' human teammates learn how to take care of, communicate and work with the technology. Because AI technology is continuously evolving and improving, workers and firms will need to be receptive toward change. They must be agile and resilient if they are to draw the greatest benefit from the technology with the least negative disruption to workers' lives and business flows. On the societal, economic, and political sides, the challenges are just as great. At the moment, most AI development and testing is confined to universities, military operations, and start-up hubs in places like Silicon Valley and Boston, as well as in some manufacturing domains.

Welcome to the world of intelligent chatbots: your companion and conversation agents who should make your life smarter. A leading research paper even said that by 2020, the average person would have more conversations with bots than with their spouse. So, be ready to embrace this new life in a year from now. Have you ever tried telling Siri or Google to "find restaurants that don't serve pizza?" At least they are both consistent in that they gave the same answer -- suggesting restaurants that do serve pizza. The first citizen humanoid robot, Sofia, is making her way to every media event, conducting interviews using human-like conversations. How does she compare to these competitors? Well, the truth is far from reality.

The tech industry's great new hopes – artificial intelligence (AI), big data and blockchain – are making their presence felt in an unexpected new field: Indian real estate. As the world starts to rely more on these innovations, India is catching up, and making room. There are AI labs coming up in established tech hubs like Bengaluru and surprise destinations like Kolkata. Now, Hyderabad is set to house India's first blockchain district. Experts point out that this signals an impending boost for the housing market there.

Vatican officials are calling for stricter ethical standards on the development of artificial intelligence, with tech giants IBM and Microsoft being the first companies to sign its new initiative. The "Rome Call for AI Ethics" lays out six broad principles: transparency, inclusion, responsibility, impartiality, reliability, and security and privacy. These principles say that technology should "protect people," particularly the "weak and underprivileged." They also urge policymakers across the world to create new forms of regulation on "advanced technologies that have a higher risk of impacting human rights," which includes facial recognition. "AI is incredibly promising technology that can help us make the world smarter, healthier, and more prosperous," IBM vice president John Kelly III said after the initiative's signing.