Comments on: Pentagon Supercomputer Powers IED-Hunting http://www.captainsjournal.com/2007/11/30/pentagon-supercomputer-powers-ied-hunting/ News & Commentary on Warfare, Policy and Counterterrorism Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:19:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Brian H http://www.captainsjournal.com/2007/11/30/pentagon-supercomputer-powers-ied-hunting/#comment-24044 Brian H Sun, 02 Dec 2007 09:56:16 +0000 http://www.captainsjournal.com/2007/11/30/pentagon-supercomputer-powers-ied-hunting/#comment-24044 True neural net learning would be more interesting; it is best suited for distinguishing patterns and recognizing form. Algorithms are human rule sets for logically deriving "correct" answers, and are limited by the verbalization / conceptualization capacities of the composer(s). Real experts do not follow rules; they tack between significant examples, and only use words and numbers after the fact. Neural nets do the same; it is not usually possible to track or describe how they reach conclusions, and often the result itself is not readily "boxable". I suspect that there are many ideosyncratic practices and patterns amongst IED makers and planters, both from individual characteristics and from instruction/teaching patterns passed on by insurgent highers. Some may love culverts; others ruts. Some like dissolved and reset asphalt; some like planting inside brick walls. Etc. Trying to make one-ruleset-fits-all "AI" systems from simulated scenarios is an inherently limited strategy. True neural net learning would be more interesting; it is best suited for distinguishing patterns and recognizing form. Algorithms are human rule sets for logically deriving “correct” answers, and are limited by the verbalization / conceptualization capacities of the composer(s). Real experts do not follow rules; they tack between significant examples, and only use words and numbers after the fact. Neural nets do the same; it is not usually possible to track or describe how they reach conclusions, and often the result itself is not readily “boxable”.

I suspect that there are many ideosyncratic practices and patterns amongst IED makers and planters, both from individual characteristics and from instruction/teaching patterns passed on by insurgent highers. Some may love culverts; others ruts. Some like dissolved and reset asphalt; some like planting inside brick walls. Etc. Trying to make one-ruleset-fits-all “AI” systems from simulated scenarios is an inherently limited strategy.

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