Show-Me State Times

Artificial intelligence (AI) can write, create videos, and power self-driving cars. Someday, University of Missouri researcher Dong Xu predicts, it also will perform surgeries.

“Industries are already using AI-powered robotics,” said Dong Xu, who recently co-founded an academic journal on the technology. “In the coming decade, AI could also perform surgery with higher success rates than human doctors, do household chores and help manage your finances.”

Although AI has roots tracing back more than seven decades, it’s only been in the past couple of years that the broader public has felt its influence in daily life. And it’s advancing at a dizzying speed.

The term “artificial intelligence” was coined in the 1950s when scientists set out to develop problem-solving systems.

“The idea was simple: to develop a machine that mimics human intelligence to process information, make predictions and take actions,” Xu said. “The turning point was in 2012 when people demonstrated deep learning on a large scale.”

Deep learning is a type of AI inspired by how our brain works. It involves training a computer to learn from many examples by large-scale neural networks. Neural networks are virtual “neurons” that process information, with each neuron receiving input, performing a calculation and sending results to the next layer of neurons. These neurons work together to learn patterns and make sense of data. That’s why AI algorithms are good at recognizing images and processing speech and language.

Xu is a Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In the Bond Life Sciences Center at Mizzou, he uses deep learning to sift through large amounts of data related to protein sequence, structure and function. As part of NextGen Precision Health, he’s developing novel methods for biomedical studies and applying them in disease studies and drug development. Xu is also working with researchers from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources to leverage AI to develop and commercialize more effective fungicides.

Cross-disciplinary collaboration among researchers — a longtime strategic priority for Mizzou — has been key to advancements in AI across campus.

“Mizzou has been ahead in terms of research around AI because of those types of partnerships,” Xu said. “AI research requires a lot of collaboration and expertise in order to make real progress and impact.”

In industry, AI is transforming finance as banks use it to detect suspicious transactions. AI powers the recommendations on your streaming services and in your Amazon cart. And Xu believes it will be key to advances in material development such as designing better batteries. Historically, this type of research and development has involved a lot of trial and error requiring time and resources. AI speeds up that process by predicting and recommending the best materials and techniques — bringing innovative products to market faster and improving lives with solutions such as efficient energy storage.

AI offers up friendship too with websites and apps that allow you to create AI companions or even digital copies of yourself. Xu believes these trends will soon become mainstream.

“In education we’ll have personalized AI tutors that will be highly individualized to the learner,” he said. “Materials science medicine eldercare — AI is emerging in all these areas we’ll see more within five-to-ten years.”

If you’re having difficulty keeping up with advancements in AI you’re not alone; even Xu who has focused on AI for over ten years makes concerted efforts stay updated.

“If you don’t keep up work will be outdated,” he said.” When I’m on my treadmill at home I watch videos people talking about AI always learning something new.”

That’s one reason Xu collaborators co-founded International Journal Artificial Intelligence Robotics Research quarterly publication delves into latest advancements applications now serves co-editor-in-chief features scholarly works commentary prestigious universities corporations Microsoft Additionally editors host supplemental webinars events tackle ethical issues around manipulated content cyberattacks

“Already seeing negative applications fake videos images,” he said.” Any time there’s new technology risks but poses bigger risk really powerful.”

Ensuring security integrity systems critical mitigating risks optimistic researchers find solutions technology advances

“The benefits outweigh risks tremendous.”