AI in Embedded Systems and Life Writ Large
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for a long time in one form or another. In fact, the underlying concept first emerged around the 1850s. However, AI had relatively little impact on the collective consciousness until the launch of ChatGPT on 20 November 2022. That’s only two and a half years before this year’s Embedded Online Conference—but my, how things have changed.
Today, AI is being used to design embedded hardware (from chips to boards) and embedded software. It’s also being used to write documentation and to extract useful information from it. Furthermore, the embedded systems designed with the help of AI are being used to run AI, the AIs are now capable of cloning themselves, and then things start to get complicated. And, just to add a dollop of metaphorical cream on top of the allegorical cake, AI is insinuating itself into our lives in ways most people aren’t even aware of.
In this presentation, we will explore so many aspects of AI that it will make your head spin. As is often the case with sessions like this, we will be leaping from topic to topic with the agility of young mountain goats—so I encourage you to dress appropriately and responsibly.
What critical caveat did Clive "Max" Maxfield give about using GitHub Copilot for embedded development?
Thoughtful and though provoking Max! Perhaps I grew up taking Heinlein and Clark a bit too literally and darkly about AI - or perhaps not literally and darkly enough! Then there is M1 from Star Trek that had some phycological problems inherited from its developer.
Like so many disruptive technologies - AI presents some very beneficial positives and very dark negatives depending on the intent of who does the training and implementing.
Excellent presentation Max!
Thank you for your kind words -- much appreciated -- Max
Thanks,
Not what I expected but was very informative and enjoyable.
Thanks John -- this ended up a lot shorter than I expected -- my first dry run was 1 hour 15 mins, so I cut out half the slides -- then I talked quickly -- and by the time I got to the final cut I was down to only 20 mins and no time to add more back in (I'm too young for all this excitement). There are many speakers at this conference who are highly proficient in creating and deploying AI. What I wanted to do is raise awareness about things that most of us haven't really thought about yet.
Hi Clive,
as always, really great presentation. All those domain specific superpower knowledge called AI makes me think, if that is the future of mankind? Thinking back starting as an embedded developer with 6504 MCUs and how much time I spent to bring up a design, writing firmware, designing a schematic, making a PCB etc., and that's only 40 years ago... The times change though and with reasoning capabilities of AI there will be even more pressure on the average person. Therefore I see young people either discouraged or some embracing the new technology without knowing the background. This adds a social issue to it, which needs to be solved as well.
Thank you for your great insights. I hope your timer runs even longer than 30 years!
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope I run longer than my Countdown Timer LOL. Things are moving quickly. My talk only mentioned AI-powered software development tools and circuit/schematic design tools. I was just introduced to a company called CyBord that does PCBA supply chain management (spotting clone chips and suchlike on boards) https://www.eejournal.com/article/ai-based-pcba-machine-vision-solution-ensures-supply-chain-integrity/ Also, I will soon be talking to a couple of AI-powered PCB layout tools. Also, at the end of the talk I wondered how long it will be before an AI testified in court. Shortly after I created my presentation, an AI did just that! I hope you manage to join the live Q&A session tomorrow -- Max
Please note that there will be a live Q&A panel discussion featuring all speakers in the AI track tomorrow (Friday) at 8:00 am Eastern USA Time. I really hope to see you there.
https://embeddedonlineconference.com/meeting/Live_Discussion_Embedded_Artificial_Intelligence
Hello everyone -- Happy Thursday :-)
Thanks for your kind words. I used to love Asimov, Clarke, and Heinlein. Now you have me thinking about I Robot (A) The City and the Stars (C), and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (H). Did you ever read Eternity Road by Jack McDevitt? (https://www.amazon.com/Eternity-Road-Jack-McDevitt/dp/0061054275). It's in a post-apocalyptic future -- our heroes venture into a deserted city and come into contact with an AI that used to run the trains, and that's been on its own for 1,000 years. That part of the story sticks in your mind.