Computer scientist and Watson co-creator David Ferrucci - ScienceLives

The speaker shares their journey from aspiring medical doctor to discovering computer science, highlighting the excitement of programming and the potential of AI. They emphasize the importance of humility, scientific experimentation, and balancing objectivity with passion. Influences from philosophy and AI pioneers are discussed, along with the human element in scientific discovery. Personal interests in music are also mentioned.

What initially sparked the speaker's interest in computer science?

• A family member's influence

• A book they read

• A summer class at a local college

• A friend's recommendation

What lesson did the speaker learn from their father?

• Always trust your instincts

• Never question authority

• Keep an open mind and be humble

• Focus solely on your goals

What is crucial for conducting effective scientific experiments according to the speaker?

• Testing multiple variables at once

• Relying on intuition

• Ignoring previous research

• Having a control and testing one variable at a time

What does the speaker believe is necessary to be a good scientist?

• Being driven solely by emotion

• Avoiding collaboration

• Focusing only on logic

• Balancing objectivity and passion

How does the speaker view the role of computers in learning and decision-making?

• As simple calculators

• As partners in creating and organizing information

• As replacements for human judgment

• As tools for entertainment

Which philosophers influenced the speaker's journey into AI?

• Aristotle and Descartes

• Socrates and Plato

• Kant and Nietzsche

• Hume and Locke

Who are some of the early thinkers in AI mentioned by the speaker?

• Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan

• Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein

• John McCarthy and Marvin Minsky

• Alan Turing and Ada Lovelace