Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is both the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science which aims to create it. Artificial Intelligence is a combination of cognitive science, linguistics, ontology, physiology, psychology, philosophy, operations research, economics, control theory, neuroscience, computer science, probability, optimization and logic. AI is a very large subject-matter. It consists of many different fields, from machine vision to expert systems.

The aim of all the fields is the creation of machines that can "think". Researches hope that AI machines will be capable of reasoning, knowledge, learning, communication, planning, perception and the ability to move and manipulate objects.

R. Kurzweil has calculated that desktop computers will have the same processing power as human brains by the year 2029, and that by 2045 artificial intelligence will reach a point where it is able to improve itself.

Self-assessment of ESP learning

WRITING SKILLS

Summaries. I think my performance in writing summaries has improved during this term. I've learned a lot from my mistakes. Recent summary I've performed really well, I've done only one mistake and I'm really happy with that.
ESP vocabulary tests. My knowledge of ESP vocabulary became better because I've spent much more time preparing myself for tests.
Self-designed tests. It was one of the most fascinating tasks and in my opinion I've done it as good as possible, on my level of linguistic sophistication. I've studied reading material much more profoundly and I've received more information while making tests than I've found out while reading it at home.
Dictations. I find my performance during dictations quite poor, since I've made lots of mistakes. I realize that I should concentrate more on spelling.
Contributions to webblogs. I don't think my skills changed this term.

SPEAKING SKILLS

Participation in class discussions. I don't think that my discussion skills has changed this term since I haven't participated much in class discussions.
Presentations. My knowledge on the topic I've made presentation about became better. However my speaking skills haven't became better because I haven't presented my presentation in the class.
Speaking in pairs. My speaking skills became better because of this task. We spoke on a lot of different topics this term and it also helped me understand reading material better.

LISTENING SKILLS

Listening activities in class. My performance on this task hasn't changed a lot this term. It was quite good before too.
Listening to podcasts. It was a quite difficult task. I had to listen to podcast for a several times in order to understand it all. I think that my skills on this task became better.
Listening outside the class if any. In order to improve my listening skills I've tried to listen to BBC radio programs and also to watch English movies without reading subtitles.

READING SKILLS

Home reading. I've paid a lot of attention to this task this term. Reading material for a few times helped me learn topics better. My knowledge on ESP vocabulary has increased.
Class reading. This task wasn’t very easy. I had to read material twice to understand it all. Thanks to this task I've learned new words and phrases.
Reading comprehension exercises. I can not say that my reading comprehension skills have changed, because I had always been good at exercises of this kind.
Computer tasks. This task was quite easy. I don't think that my skills of this task changed this term.