The History of AI: Part 2

Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager 

Beyond the multiplex ideas of robots and technology would upspring the AI that we have come to know and use today. But, before we can fully understand just how AI has improved over many decades, we must continue analyzing the groundwork that has enabled AI to develop to where it’s at now.

The rapid growth of technological advancements in the area of AI would continue to thrive in the timeframe of the 1950’s-60’s. This period sparked creation, where scientists focused on programming languages, and when a plethora of books and movies explored deeper ideas of self-functioning robots. The concept of AI quickly became mainstream, with many inventors seeking to create the “next best thing”.

Creations in the late 1950’s-60’s:

• In 1958, computer scientist John McCarthy created List Processing (LISP), the first programming language for AI research, which is still used today.

• In 1961, The first industrial robot named “Unimate" started working at a General Motors in New Jersey, responsible for transporting die casings and welding parts on cars (which was said to be too dangerous for humans to do).

• In 1965, Edward Feigenbaum and Joshua Lederberg created the first “Expert System” which was a form of AI designed to replicate the thinking and decision-making abilities of human experts.

The Invention of Chatbots:

If you’ve ever seen the movie Iron Man (best Avenger by the way), then you're quite familiar with Tony Stark’s AI assistant named Jarvis. Stark’s virtual personal assistant may have seemed like a fairly new idea, when in reality, the concept of chatbots began in the 1960’s. In 1966, computer scientist Joseph Weizenbaum created the first “chatterbot” (later shortened to chatbot), ELIZA; a program that imitated a therapist. ELIZA used Natural Language Processing (NLP), and tricked users into thinking they were conversing with a human being, rather than a chatterbot. How astonished would you be to find out that your online therapist is in fact not a human being, but rather a computer system?

After ELIZA, there were other successful Bots that were made including: PARRY in 1972, RACTER in 1983 and then JABBERWACKY in 2005. All bots were created for the purpose of mimicking human interaction.

AI in the 1970’s:

The 1970’s was an era filled with similar improvements, including the world's first full-scale anthropomorphic robot, called Wabot-1; created by a Japanese professor named Ichiro Kato in 1970. This robot consisted of a limb-control system, a vision system, and a conversation system, the closest a robot could come to achieving full human function. By the late 1970’s, James L. Adams created “The Stanford Cart” which became one of the first examples of an autonomous vehicle; which eventually was able to successfully navigate a room full of chairs without human interference.

Challenges with Funding for AI:

By the mid-1960s, AI research in the United States was being funded primarily by the Department of Defense. However, by the 1970’s, the U.S. government began to show little interest in continuing to fund AI research. Fortunately, in 1979, The American Association of Artificial Intelligence which is now known as the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) was founded. This nonprofit was created to assist in advancing the development of AI, which also produced a means of funding.

Reflecting on the mid and mid-late 1900’s, it’s clear that these time periods laid the essential groundwork for AI’s significant evolution in the years that followed. There’s more to be discussed about the enthralling topic of AI, so stay tuned for part three of this AI series!

The History of AI: Part 1

Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager 

Although it may seem as if artificial intelligence (AI) is a new form of technology, it has actually been proactively developing for many decades; with the earliest groundwork dating back to the early 1900s. It’s quite compelling because learning about the history of robots, technology, and AI is important in understanding where AI is at now, and what it may be like in the future. 

The History of Robots and AI

The overall idea of a machine being able to function on its own is ancient. It dates back thousands of years when inventors first made mechanical automatons (a machine that can move by itself). Among the earliest references of an automaton is of a wooden model of a pigeon constructed by a Greek friend of the philosopher Plato around 400 BCE. Many years later, one of the most famous automatons of a mechanical robotic knight would be created by Leonardo da Vinci around the late 15th century. Knowing this information allows us to better grasp the technological advancements and changes of modern day AI.

The groundwork for modern day AI concepts centered around the idea of artificial humans which came into fruition in the early 1900’s. Many expert scientists began forming curiosities as if it was possible to create an artificial brain. This brought on a new variety of different ideas. 

Robot Facts

• In 1921, Czech playwright Karel Čapek released a science fiction play called Rossum's Universal Robots which introduced the idea of artificial people, which he named robots. This was the first known use of the word “robots.”

• In 1929, Japanese professor Makoto Nishimura built the first Japanese robot, named Gakutensoku which included features such as changing its facial expressions and moving its head and hands.

The Early Stages of AI

By the 1950s, the idea of AI was beginning to become more realistic. Mathematician and computer scientist, Alan Turing, published his work, Computer Machinery and Intelligence which eventually became The Turing Test. It was then used by experts to measure computer intelligence. To this day, the Turing Test is still heavily renowned in the field of AI work in terms of measuring the success of current AI systems. By the mid 1950s, the term “artificial intelligence” was coined and gained popularity. 

1950s Facts

• In 1952, a computer scientist named Arthur Samuel developed a program to play checkers, which was the first machine to ever learn the game independently.

• 1955: John McCarthy held a workshop at Dartmouth on “artificial intelligence” which is the first use of the word, and how it came into popular usage.

The development of AI technology is a fascinating area of topic to be further discussed; and it truly unlocks questions about how such possible advancements can even exist. However, one thing is for certain,  AI is rapidly growing with every day that passes by. Stay tuned for part two of this AI series!

Native American Heritage Month

Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer 

November is Native American Heritage Month. This was first declared in 1990 to recognize and shed light on the Native American experience in America. November calls attention to Native American culture, achievements, power, and their history of discovering America first. 

Heritage months are important as they provide moments to celebrate, support, educate, unite, gain perspective, and learn all about America’s intersectional identity. Native American Heritage Month is a month to learn and understand the fact that there were people on this land before not only us, but before colonizers as well. Recognizing the history of Native Americans allows us to recognize America’s ugly but truthful past and without this acknowledgment, we fail to learn from the mistakes made in the name of white supremacy.  

To support Native American Heritage Month, you can learn more about the Indigenous people who lived on the land you currently inhabit. You can also spread awareness and support of Native peoples, by continuing to educate yourself and others about the power that togetherness holds. By acknowledging the past, we can lead to a better future. 

The History of Haunted Houses: Part 5 of Haunted Histories and Spooky Mysteries

Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

The idea of haunted houses can be traced back many years.  We, as people, have always had a fascination with the unknown such as spirits, the paranormal, and ghosts. Homes that gave off an eerie feeling were associated with these unknowns. Creepy architecture and abandoned homes alluded to the idea that there was something scary behind their doors, giving the idea of haunted houses.  The enticing mystery behind closed doors made people want to go in and seek those hidden. 

The Orton and the Spooner Ghost House were the first haunted homes to charge admission. Opening in 1915, their use of props, sounds, and actors gave their United Kingdom audience something to yearn for during the spooky season. In more recent years, haunted houses have become a staple in celebrating Halloween. The haunted house industry makes roughly $300-500 million dollars each season. 

Colorado also participates in the haunted house experience. Here is a list of the most popular spots for you to visit, if you dare…

1. The Frightmare Compound

Click here to read more 

2. 13th Floor

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3. Haunted Field of Screams 

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4. The Ritual Haunted House 

Click here to read more

5. Terror in the Corn

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The History of Trick or Treating and the Wearing of Costumes: Part 3 of Haunted Histories and Spooky Mysteries

Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer 

Trick or treating and wearing costumes are key parts of Halloween. Originating from Ireland and Scotland, young people would participate in an activity called “guising”. The word “guising” comes from the word “disguising”. This is when they would dress up in costumes and go around asking neighbors for fruit, coins, and nuts as “treats” in exchange for their “tricks” which consisted of singing, comedy, etc. This has led to the huge cultural phenomenon we know today, commonly called “Trick or Treating”. 

The idea of donning costumes comes from religious beliefs. The people believed that the gods would reveal themselves to humans during this holiday, and if they wore disguises, the ghouls would mistake them as one of their kind. In North America, this evolved into a yearly tradition as it was entirely embraced. With the growth of pop culture came the change of Halloween costumes. Costumes were always meant to be scary but with the boom of new media, people wanted to dress up like those they idolized such as superheroes, celebrities or pop stars. Today, we dress up as idols, cartoon characters, horror movie characters, and other fantasy creatures. Through this tradition of playing dress up, Halloween gives one night of the year for people to be whoever they want! 

The Black Panther Party’s Breakfast Program for School Children

By: Paige Robinson, Staff Photographer 

The Black Panther Party (BPP) in the 1960’s is known by many, but not always in a positive way. They are / were seen as a violent terrorist group that was feared by many people in the white community. However, their intentions and actions are rarely spoken about truthfully.

The Black Panther Party was a Black power organization that was created in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale to promote Black power and protect the Black body. As the Black community was oppressed, the Black Panther Party was encouraging Black people to love themselves and not be afraid to stand up for themselves. This caused fear in the white community because they saw how the Black community was beginning to defend themselves. Nevertheless, the Black Panther Party was not supposed to be considered a violent group, but instead a strong community who cared for each other. When taught about their group, the great acts they did are never mentioned. What many people are not aware of is how the Black Panther Party inspired the rest of the country to start school feeding programs for children. 

Many Black children lived in poverty because of the racist ideals in America in the 1960’s. This meant very little food for them. With the BPP wanting to ensure the protection / survival of Black people, the BPP was inspired to create a program to feed children before they started classes in school. The program was called the Black Panthers’ Free Breakfast for School Children and was officially created in 1966, just a few years after the establishment of the BPP as a whole. Schools and the BPP worked with local grocery stores to supply food. The program led to thousands of children being fed every morning, which for many children, was their only meal of the day. This did not only fill their stomachs, but did improve the children’s behavior in class and would not complain about being hungry. Despite the positives of the program, the white community worked to bring it down.

The FBI was already not in favor with the BPP, so they attempted to stop the breakfast for children program. They would do acts like travel to the Black communities houses and tell the residents that the BPP would poison their children’s food, find the schools with the breakfast and destroy it and even urinate on it, and so many other terrible things. Sadly, the FBI’s actions led to the downfall of the BPP, along with them killing many Civil Rights activists, destroying Black neighborhoods, and more. 

Regardless of how the FBI and the overall white community worked to break down the Black community and their accomplishments, these moments in history do not go unnoticed. The BPP may have officially been shut down, but the community continued to stay strong and protect one another. Their acts would later lead to equality and justice. As for the free breakfast program the BPP created, their acts were noticed by many around the nation, which inspired schools all around to start their own breakfast programs. Despite the BPP being seen as a horrible group, they did amazing things for others, and ended up being an influence on many.

To read more about The Black Panther Party’s School Breakfast Program, visit:

https://www.history.com/news/free-school-breakfast-black-panther-party