Fujitsu Building Robot To Pass Math Exams

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Fujitsu Building Robot To Pass Math Exams

Posted by samzenpus on Monday September 10, 2012 @09:06AM from the head-of-the-robot-class dept.

itwbennett writes "Pity those poor Japanese students who attend cram schools, either full time or in addition to their regular schooling, to have a shot at passing the grueling math entrance exams for Tokyo University. If Fujitsu has its way, those students will be upstaged by a robot. The company has set a goal for the year 2021 of building an artificial intelligence robot that can pass the exams."

50 of 75 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

How intelligent will the robot be? by maxwell+demon · 2012-09-10 09:15 · Score: 2

Will it be able to cheat? :-)

--
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
1. Re:How intelligent will the robot be? by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · 2012-09-10 09:25 · Score: 1
  
  Given that 'memory' is perhaps the area of AI we've had the most success with(not any of the fancy salience-based selective tricks; but quantity has a quality all its own), normal function might well be indistinguishable from the vast majority of human cheating.
We already have that by Hentes · 2012-09-10 09:15 · Score: 2

Wolfram Alpha already knows that level of math.
1. Re:We already have that by CSMoran · 2012-09-10 09:17 · Score: 1
  
  And it parses Japanese, right?
  
  --
  Every end has half a stick.
2. Re:We already have that by TemperedAlchemist · 2012-09-10 09:22 · Score: 1
  
  Well, Wolfram|Alpha is a computational search engine. Wolfram Mathematica is what you're really looking for to do number crunching.
  But there are various AI challenges, like reading comprehension, which is really what it's about. Can you give an AI a word problem and have them solve it? It's more difficult than you may think.
3. Re:We already have that by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · 2012-09-10 09:28 · Score: 1
  
  Does anybody know how much that would matter on this particular test?
  No commercially available system(and quite likely no machine system yet developed) can actually parse natural languages especially well; but if the only Japanese is just boilerplate 'Name', 'Date', 'Solve for X and show your work', that won't really matter. If the test is larded with cunningly phrased word problems, by contrast...
4. Re:We already have that by Hentes · 2012-09-10 10:05 · Score: 1
  
  Wolfram Alpha is powered by Mathematica behind the scenes, you can ask it to do symbolic computation like integrating a function for example. I used it as an example because it can already parse natural language input to an extent. Also, I don't remember many word problems on that level, that's the kind of thing they torture you at fourth grade. Even when problems aren't presented in an exact way, they usually use templates which can be obtainde by going through the exams of previous years.
5. Re:We already have that by Darinbob · 2012-09-10 12:57 · Score: 1
  
  But it's not a robot. In Japan it doesn't count and is ignored unless it is a humanoid shaped robot.
just reuse last years test and or just have it by Joe_Dragon · 2012-09-10 09:17 · Score: 1

just reuse last years test and or just have it look up the answer key.
Re:Robot first post by maxwell+demon · 2012-09-10 09:19 · Score: 2

They want to build an artificial intelligence robot. Of course it won't care about first posts.
However they have to be careful: If they make it too intelligent, it will recognize solving the exam as an useless task and refuse to do it.

--
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
Japan is why to much of a teach the test and it's by Joe_Dragon · 2012-09-10 09:22 · Score: 1

Japan is why to much of a teach the test and it's all about the test and cramming for it.
Poor Article by newcastlejon · 2012-09-10 09:22 · Score: 1

It would have been nice to give a sample problem.

--
If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
Controversy in this article by bobbutts · 2012-09-10 09:25 · Score: 3, Insightful

It strikes a "major emotional chord" if a computer can handle some exam better than students? Does it strike a major emotional chord with a sprinter if a car can beat him in a race?
1. Re:Controversy in this article by Eponymous+Hero · 2012-09-10 09:59 · Score: 1
  
  let's try this:
  
  would it strike an emotional chord with husbands if their wives preferred to have sex with their vibrators instead of them?
  
  don't answer that, it's a stupid setup. it's obvious exactly which emotional chord you're assuming is being struck, but it seemed clear to me that sentence only meant that people in japan would be very opinionated about something that permeates their lives. as opposed to america, where getting a C on any exam is great. a robot that can pass the SAT in america? meh, who cares? tosh point oh is on...
  
  --
  insensitive clod overlords obligatory xkcd car analogy russian reversals whoosh pedant fanbois ftfy in 3...2...1..PROFIT
2. Re:Controversy in this article by bobbutts · 2012-09-10 10:26 · Score: 1
  
  Car analogies only please, thank you.
3. Re:Controversy in this article by Eponymous+Hero · 2012-09-10 11:02 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  would it strike an emotional chord with husbands if their wives preferred to have sex with their car's shifter instead of them?
  does that work for you?
  
  --
  insensitive clod overlords obligatory xkcd car analogy russian reversals whoosh pedant fanbois ftfy in 3...2...1..PROFIT
4. Re:Controversy in this article by Matheus · 2012-09-10 11:22 · Score: 2
  
  I'll get back to you on that question in a minute...
  (now where's my box of tissues?)
5. Re:Controversy in this article by Eponymous+Hero · 2012-09-10 11:44 · Score: 1
  
  they're in the glovebox, but your wife's foot has it securely shut. you'll just have to shine the upholstery with a sock or something.
  
  --
  insensitive clod overlords obligatory xkcd car analogy russian reversals whoosh pedant fanbois ftfy in 3...2...1..PROFIT
Re:I have some bad news. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:32 · Score: 1

The robot, however, might not feel so compelled to stroke its e-penis.
From what little I know of Japan, it might feel compelled to stroke its actual penis(es)/tentacles.
FTFY
looks like a curve-wrecker by v1 · 2012-09-10 09:44 · Score: 1

the students will positively hate that.

--
I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
Word problems by Iamthecheese · 2012-09-10 09:48 · Score: 3

Without word problems this is just OCR plus stuff we've been doing for decades. Even with word problems it's not groundbreaking, not since Watson.

--
If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
1. Re:Word problems by WrecklessSandwich · 2012-09-10 10:32 · Score: 1
  
  Watson wasn't really that groundbreaking, just well-publicized.
2. Re:Word problems by bWareiWare.co.uk · 2012-09-10 23:15 · Score: 1
  
  So research combining at least three cutting edge AI problems (each of which have had millions of R&D spent on) in to a new application isn't worth doing?
  Computer vision and OCR may already have many practical applications but it is far from a 'solved' problem. The existence of Watson and Alpha (both of which require millions of pounds of hardware and hundreds of human PhDs to solve very narrow domain problems) hardly suggests that the is no need for further AI research.
3. Re:Word problems by Iamthecheese · 2012-09-11 03:21 · Score: 1
  
  Oh I wouldn't suggest that at all. I just think that research should be done elsewhere.
  
  --
  If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
Re:Robot first post by wierd_w · 2012-09-10 09:52 · Score: 1

No, but they will make all the music.
They are halfway there now, what with the automated takedowns....
Headline comprehension fail by Evardsson · 2012-09-10 09:58 · Score: 1

From the headline I assumed that Fijitsu were creating a robot in order to pass their math exams. "What the hell," I figured, "as far as extra credit goes it shows a fairly comprehensive understanding of the subject." But then I thought, "how did Fujitsu collectively fail their math exams?" (Or, if you are the other side of the pond, their maths exams).

--
Death looks every man in the face. All any man can do is look back and smile. - Marcus Aurelius
Re:When did we stop looking for STRONG-AI? by HeckRuler · 2012-09-10 10:03 · Score: 1

1974 and/or 1987. And now the term has been tainted like cold fusion.
I think it's an excellent idea by inputdev · 2012-09-10 10:09 · Score: 1

I used to think that software and computers in general would be moving away from typical human interfaces, but I now think that having software/robots perform tasks that humans are also capable of is the future. As a concrete example, I used to think that it would be a bad design to have an application that screen grabs to parse text when it could have the text in a computer readable form, but I see now that a computer that operates a human interface is an advantage. I think that this robot is a step in the direction that we are already heading - our software will augment all of our existing skills - driving, writing, reading, playing games, etc., with a better interface - since it behaves like another human.
Re:Intelligence and higher education by HeckRuler · 2012-09-10 10:10 · Score: 1

Anyway, if these "AI" (more like an expert system than artificial intelligence) robots...
Set, met subset.

...can do well an [sic]intellignece test and an entrance exam, then I don't think they know what [sic]intellgience is - the robot makers or the test examiners.
I believe that's implying that intelligence is impossible to test. Which is a silly idea.

hence, the stereotype of Asians who can't think and create but can only copy and parrot facts.
In other news, racist ass-hats have a high correlation with idiots and the ignorant.
What if? by lorinc · 2012-09-10 10:14 · Score: 1

What if the test consists in building an AI that can pass the test?

--
Video of some good progressive thrash music
1. Re:What if? by plover · 2012-09-10 12:08 · Score: 1
  
  What if the test consists in building an AI that can pass the test?
  Then they have built a test that will accurately detect the arrival of the Singularity.
  
  --
  John
2. Re:What if? by lister+king+of+smeg · 2012-09-10 16:34 · Score: 1
  
  so a script that simply creates a copy of itself when executed? not all that impressive.
  
  --
  ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
Remember when robots involved robotics? by HeckRuler · 2012-09-10 10:15 · Score: 1

The project will need to process text and formulas meant for human eyes, extract the math problems and convert them into a form meant for computers
Are they going to have it hold a pencil and flip through the pages of the exam as well?
Robotics wise, this is kinda cute, but not that interesting.
AI wise, yeah, this is pretty interesting, but involves no robots.
Maybe this is all a translation issue. Don't the Japanese differentiate robots from AI?
This thing will never beat any real Asian kid. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 10:34 · Score: 1

Even Deep Thought asks them to do his math homework.
the next extention, cheating by Tynin · 2012-09-10 10:48 · Score: 2

As soon as something like this robot is able to be made, the miniaturized stealth version will no doubt follow. The device would just need a moment of line of sight on the test and could deliver the answers to you, perhaps in morse code skin taps. I suspect there are quite a few people who would love to be able to breeze into an engineering degree, as just one example.
1. Re:the next extention, cheating by Dr.+Spork · 2012-09-10 11:04 · Score: 1
  
  Wrong: The next extension will be education. If it can ace the test - and I'm assuming it's a test where you have to show your work and are graded on this - then it can also tutor someone who is learning the material. Can you imagine what a great study tool that would be?
2. Re:the next extention, cheating by Tynin · 2012-09-10 11:14 · Score: 1
  
  Still right, but you are correct as well. And not even just education. I could use this at work. Say I'm working on trying to figure out why reset isn't working on this VM I'm running that has kernel panic'd. It could take a glance at a few key bits and go out and scour the internet for solutions while I go validate all of the mundane bits are correct (or perhaps it has even better knowledge than the internet if you pay for license fee). It is basically Microsoft Bob of the future, that could assist / complement the user in any specific task that it has a knowledge domain on. There are so many uses that it is silly. But first, they need to build it. I'm just suggesting some of the first uses will be to cheat, oh, and the military, but definitely to cheat.
Re:Intelligence and higher education by AK+Marc · 2012-09-10 11:20 · Score: 1

Come on, where's the "pics or it didn't happen" comments?

--
Learn to love Alaska
Re:When did we stop looking for STRONG-AI? by AK+Marc · 2012-09-10 11:23 · Score: 1

Strong AI - AI that's perfect. Weak AI - AI that models the very fallible human intelligence (or lack thereof).

--
Learn to love Alaska
Reminds me of an Asimov story by Kittenman · 2012-09-10 11:32 · Score: 2

Possibly called the "Feeling of power". Wasn't there one where a soldier learnt to do computation in his head (multiplication, etc) rather than use a computer. Seniors couldn't believe it, checked his answers against a computer and they were right. When they started making plans to use human pilots to replace computers in missiles/bombs (a pre-runner of these pilotless drones, I just realized) the original soldier killed himself.

--
"The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes" - Winston Churchill
Re:Japan is why to much of a teach the test and it by zlives · 2012-09-10 11:35 · Score: 1

in other news...
japan to build a better language translating robot.
How can it not? by Roger+W+Moore · 2012-09-10 11:58 · Score: 2

Will it be able to cheat? :-)
Given that most of the maths department courses where I work ban the use of all electronic calculation devices it will be cheating by taking the exam.
My dog ate my math exam... by John+Bresnahan · 2012-09-10 12:05 · Score: 2

My dog ate my math exam, and later passed it. Thank you! I'm here all week!
Here is the story: The Feeling Of Power by OzPeter · 2012-09-10 12:14 · Score: 2

The Feeling Of Power

--
I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
Re:Japan is why to much of a teach the test and it by PPH · 2012-09-10 12:50 · Score: 1

All your math exams are belong to us!

--
Have gnu, will travel.
more constructive by slashmydots · 2012-09-10 12:51 · Score: 1

We already have robots that do math. They're called computers lol. Wouldn't building sexbots be a lot more constructive and profitable? rofl. yes, I know, they're already building those too lol. It was a specific reference :P
admissions? by magarity · 2012-09-10 14:53 · Score: 1

The students will only get mad if a factory churns out test-taking robots who take up all the admissions slots.
Just a fancy calculator by drcheap · 2012-09-10 15:31 · Score: 1

Computer Does Math, story at 11.
Seriously, I want those 10 seconds of my life spent reading TFS back.
Fujitsu Robot... Meth Exams... by Spugglefink · 2012-09-10 22:26 · Score: 1

I keep skimming that headline, and every time I read it as a robot to foil meth exams.
We have lots of roving gangs of meth cookers who go around doing everything they can to foil the government's attempts to avoid selling them Sudafed. It's a big problem that could get even bigger if this Fujitsu robot really helps them foil meth exams.
Please allow me to be the first to bow to our meth addicted, toothless hillbilly Fujitsu robot overlords.
Creating test taking robots by judoguy · 2012-09-11 00:41 · Score: 1

I thought that was what American public schools were for...

--
Peace is easy to achieve, just surrender. Liberty is much harder get/keep.