Techne

The world is burning, above the Arctic included, and we are all too busy making sure we share our opinions. As if that were not pathetic enough, too often the topic of conversation and opinion is ourselves. “Look at me, everyone!” (L@Me), is what we all seem to be screaming out. My sanity has been spared much of this self referential vortex by stearing clear of social media. Even so, I have not been completely isolated by what can happen to a mind... [Read More]

It was only a matter of time. London-based IntelligentX Brewing Company announced plans in 2016 to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to brew beer. Presumably better beer, but we will have to wait and see.1 Starting with four base beer stlyes (Amber, Golden, Pale, and Black [stout?]), targeted consumer preference questions and Artificial Brewing Intelligence (ABI, read abbey, like the beer making monks; get it?) the company aims to leverage technology to more quickly and fully match beer batches with people’s tastes. Feedback questions are descriptive, explain... [Read More]

Intro AI development has reached a point where it is no longer the concern solely of researchers, this paper being a case in point. The impacts of greater information processing, robotics, automation and autonomous systems have far reaching consequences that extend to all present societies and likely all future generations. The ability of citizens to inform themselves and speak intelligently on the matter is crucial for devising inclusive policy responses to changes in economics, politics and culture. Consider this just one more crank’s foray into an increasingly fashionable field... [Read More]

(links and images still need to prettify’d, but the text is set) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Robot#/media/File:Robot_DJ.jpg By Beaver, Brian (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitboy/1398128600/in/photostream, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4258560) Artful Intelligentsia I’ve beaten around the bush long enough, it’s time to get into some tech as it relates to beer. I’m going to go over some of the more interesting pieces of information I have come across lately. Each of these reflects some level of past, present, and/or future relationship we as consumers (and citizens) have with technology, and beer. In truth they are a snapshot of what... [Read More]