While Google was building an artificial intelligence that could beat a grandmaster at the ancient game of Go, researchers at the University of Cincinnati took a different tack. They designed an AI that could take on a fighter pilot. Dubbed ALPHA, this system recently beat retired United States Air Force Colonel Gene Lee in multiple flight simulator trials, as the researchers explain in a paper recently published in the Journal of Defense Management. The idea isn't to replace human fighter pilots. According to Nicholas Ernest, a University of Cincinnati alum and the founder of Psibernetix, a company that aims to commercialize the technology behind ALPHA, this AI may ultimately act as a kind of digital assistant that provides real-time advice to pilots.

KPMG plans to use IBM's Watson cognitive computing technology for its professional services in Australia. The artificial intelligence deal with IBM includes a focus on audit and assurance services. IBM's Watson has been doing everything from diagnosing cancer and recommending treatment to analysing the Harry Potter books and running online university courses. "Already, data and analytics techniques are transforming audit by allowing analysis of much bigger populations of data than traditional sampling from which to draw conclusions," says Duncan McLennan, KPMG's national managing partner of audit. "Cognitive technology will allow us to build on these data and analytics advances. They will be a game changer in how the value of audit is perceived by the marketplace."

Whether it's Deep Blue beating Garry Kasparov at chess, Watson defeating Ken Jennings at Jeopardy!, or Google DeepMind's AlphaGO besting Lee Sedo at Go, artificial intelligence can't be underestimated when it comes to taking on the champions and winning. That's because a new AI system called ALPHA -- developed by recent University of Cincinnati doctoral graduate Nick Ernest, now CEO of Psibernetix -- recently defeated retired United States Air Force Colonel Gene Lee in an air combat simulator. Not only did Colonel Lee, who has extensive aerial combat experience as an instructor, fail to kill ALPHA's aircraft during combat, he was also repeatedly shot out of the air by the bot. According to Lee, ALPHA is "the most aggressive, responsive, dynamic and credible AI I've seen to date." "ALPHA is an incredibly difficult opponent to face," Psibernetix CEO Nick Ernest tells Digital Trends. "Even flying against other pilots when ALPHA has severe handicaps to a number of its systems -- including speed, turning, missile capability and sensors -- it is able to win.

The idea of a device that can materialize one's memories out of thin air seems like it could only exist in science fiction. But in a new study, researchers were able to pretty accurately sketch out the thoughts of participants simply by scanning their brains. It's helping scientists understand how memory works in the human brain, and it may be a first step toward the futuristic ability to read minds. Researchers at the University of Oregon showed a group of participants, all strapped into an MRI machine, a series of photos of human faces. They followed the participants' brain activity as they looked at each image, mapping neural activity to a code of numbers that correspond to the characteristics of each face.

A key specification for exchanging sensor data between vehicles has found a new sponsor, in a move that may help future drivers avoid dangers before they see them. New vehicles are increasingly laden with sensors -- accelerometers, thermometers, radar and lidar (light detection and range) -- and the best of them can use the streams of incoming data to warn of or even avoid hazards such as ice or obstacles. But what if they could share information about changes to a road since the map was last updated or even warn one another of a stopped vehicle hidden by a blind curve? Vehicles might then be able to choose more efficient routes or avoid the need for sudden braking. That was the plan of digital mapping company Here when it published its specification for Sensoris (Sensor Ingestion Interface Specification) a year ago.

The doomsday scenario of killer robots taking over the world isn't going to happen. That's according to Google chairman Eric Schmidt, who says we should stop worrying about it and start focusing on the positives. He has said artificial intelligence (AI) will be developed for the benefit of humanity, and although doomsday scenarios should be considered, he is optimistic about the future. Artificial intelligence will let scientists solve some of the world's'hard problems.' 'The original Kodak camera was seen as destroying art,' Mr Schmidt said.

A spacecraft launched into orbit by the Chinese space agency this week will be the first piece of technology aimed at tackling the growing problem of space debris, according to the Chinese government. But experts have warned the trash-clearing robot could may have been deployed for more nefarious ends, saying it could be poised to take out communications satellites. While China's space agency (CNSA), a branch of the military, has said the craft is aimed at collecting potentially hazardous debris, analysts have said it could remain dormant until needed in wartime situation. China's space agency (CNSA) has said a prototype craft launched aboard the Long March 7 rocket last week (pictured) aimed at collecting potentially hazardous debris, analysts have said it could remain dormant until needed in wartime situation The Chinese space agency (CNSA) has launched a robotic prototype into orbit which it said is aimed at tackling space debris. Analysts have warned that the if successful, more prototype could easily be produced and delivered into orbit.

Compare broadband providers and find the best deal for you with our Best Broadband Deals page. NOW TV has revealed its next set-top box and a bundle of phone calls, broadband and TV packages which can be combined in lots of different ways. Even so, the company was eager to maintain its key feature: no long-term contracts. Since the first box launched for £10 in 2012, NOW TV has offered access to Sky content without the need for a satellite dish or lengthy contract. Customers instead subscribe for a month at a time to bundles of channels such as Entertainment, Sky Cinema and Sky Sports, each costing between £6.99 and £33.99 for a month.

As Silicon Valley investors and tech giants continue to pour cash into burgeoning artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning and chatbots, the relatively nascent A.I. industry is emerging as the latest mega-hot new ticket in town--the heir to online delivery apps, anything-hailing services, and virtual reality start-ups. But much like another buzz-worthy predecessor, Big Data, many A.I. cheerleaders and investment check signatories probably don't quite understand it. But in Silicon Valley, when has that ever stopped anyone? The obsession in the Valley with artificial intelligence is almost palpable. Just last week, Twitter announced its acquisition of London-based machine learning start-up Magic Pony Technology.

The tsunami of innovation and waves of disruption are not slowing down,