John Koza's Invention Machine the Essay

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After generating a huge number of random solutions to a given problem, the invention machine determines how effective each solution is, then discards most solutions that are not successful and begins making random alterations to others, and combining aspects of the most effective solutions to create a new generation of solutions. This process continues until an optimal solution is reached (meaning all other solutions modeled by the computer perform less efficiently or successful): "Over and over, bits of computer code are, essentially, procreating," mirroring "Darwinian evolution, the process of natural selection" (Keats, 1). The computer does not tackle problems in exactly the same way as humans in every situation, though trial and error are parts of many scientific discoveries and engineering projects. But though its method is limited to only one basic system, it performs this much faster than any human brain.

When both Koza and Keats refer to the computer as an invention machine, they do not mean that the computer literally creates new inventions. What makes the computer unique is its ability to develop solutions without input, meaning that it invents new methods of solving old problems -- or new problems that are fed into the computer. This in itself is not actually brand new, but the scope of what the invention machine is able to handle and the way in which it handles things is revolutionary.

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Other computers can solve problems, especially mathematical ones, also with minimal human input, and even the idea of genetic algorithms is something Koza studied at the University of Michigan. But "the old genetic algorithms worked to optimize specific parameters; Koza's leap in genetic programming allowed for open-ended evolutions of basic structure and so produced more novel and sophisticated designs" (Keats, 3). That is, old computers using genetic algorithms (the precursors to Koza genetic programming) would have to be told which specifics of each proposed solution to adjust and change. Koza's invention machine adjusts anything it wants to -- or rather, it adjusts everything until it settles on the most efficient manifestation of a given specific, adjusting other specifics at the same time in order to develop the solution that is the most efficient overall.

Kuza's invention machine is far from taking over the world. As of now, it cannot choose which problems to work with, but must still be given an opening set of instructions. When computers develop a will of their own in addition to the intelligence that Koza's invention machine displays, it might be time to worry. Until then, we can continue to admire and wonder at the capabilities of our artificial machines.

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