Google Engineer Cites Complexities Around AI Algorithms Explaining Themselves

Google has been saying for a year or so that they are moving from a mobile first world to an artificial intelligence first world but we’ve been told, at least in search, machine learning won’t take over the algorithm – at least not yet.

So I saw this interesting tweet from Paul Haahr, a top search ranking engineer at Google for over 15 years. He cited a NY Times article named Can A.I. Be Taught to Explain Itself? and wrote “This article by @cliffkuang on Explainable AI is an excellent introduction to hard, important problems. These issues are coming up at work every day; the article describes them well and gives some reasons for optimism.”

It reminded me of when he spoke at SMX some time ago where he said Google doesn’t fully understand RankBrain. I believe this article references what he means by that, because RankBrain is a machine learning, AI based search feature.

If Google cannot debug or understand how the algorithm itself gets better and makes certain decisions then how can Google debug it fully when it goes bad.

“As machine learning becomes more powerful, the field’s researchers increasingly find themselves unable to account for what their algorithms know — or how they know it.” That is not just a science fiction Terminator movie like fear concept but in reality, it is a topic that engineers need to battle with to understand how to improve their AI.

Anyway, reading the article might shed some light into those challenges and show you maybe how far off we are from robots killing us.

Source: seroundtable.com

Facebook Brings Food Ordering to Its Mobile App

Facebook is introducing the ability to order food with its mobile app for users in the US.

Food can be ordered for either takeout or delivery from local establishments without having to leave the Facebook app.

”People already go to Facebook to figure out what to eat by reading about nearby restaurants, and seeing what their friends say about them. So, we’re making it even easier.”

In order to facilitate food orders through its mobile app, Facebook is utilizing the services of third parties such as EatStreet, Delivery.com, DoorDash, ChowNow, Zuppler, Slice and Olo.

Facebook is also using the food ordering services offered by popular chains such as Jack in the Box, Five Guys, Papa John’s, Wingstop, TGI Friday’s, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Chipotle, Jimmy John’s, and Panera.

With the ability to both discover new restaurants, and read what people have to say about them, Facebook is an ideal platform for placing food orders.

Not sure where to start? Navigate to the ‘Explore’ menu and visit the ‘Order Food’ section. Here you will be able to browse nearby restaurants and easily place an order by tapping on the ‘Start Order’ button.

Article and image Source: searchenginejournal.com