JNS.org – Tel Aviv University has launched its new Multidisciplinary Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science on Wednesday during the university's AI Week to encourage research that uses the most advanced methods of both disciples. The center's aim is to train a new generation of researchers and industrialists who will take Israel to the forefront of the "global AI revolution" in the coming years. "[AI] is expected to impact our way of life in every aspect--from drug development and data-based personalized medicine to defense and security systems, financial systems, scientific discoveries, robotics, autonomous systems and social issues," said Professor Meir Feder, who will head up the center. "It is very important to train human capital in this area, and therefore, the center will provide all TAU students with basic AI education," he added. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said on Saturday his "initial assessment" was that Iran was responsible for an explosion on...

A typical nightmare scenario goes something like this: Robots first replace autoworkers on the assembly line. Then they move into white-collar jobs, writing articles, drafting legal documents and reading X-rays. Finally, the robots, growing ever smarter through machine learning and Big Data, displace even the most highly trained workers. Another scenario: Robots become so intelligent that they not only can beat people in chess and on Jeopardy!, but they also think faster, better and more analytically than any of us. Milind Tambe thinks these dystopian visions, so popular these days, miss the mark.