Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence

Follow Artificial Intelligence
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

In these lectures, Prof. Patrick Winston introduces the 6.034 material from a conceptual, big-picture perspective. Topics include reasoning, search, constraints, learning, representations, architectures, and probabilistic inference. In these mega-recitations, teaching assistant Mark Seifter works t…

Patrick Winston, Mark Seifter


    • Mar 4, 2016 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 48m AVG DURATION
    • 32 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Artificial Intelligence with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Artificial Intelligence

    Lecture 12b: Deep Neural Nets

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2016 49:05


    In this lecture, Prof. Winston discusses BLANK and modern breakthroughs in neural net research.

    Lecture 12a: Neural Nets

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2016 50:42


    In this video, Prof. Winston introduces neural nets and back propagation.

    Lecture 8: Constraints: Search, Domain Reduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 45:06


    This lecture covers map coloring and related scheduling problems. We develop pseudocode for the domain reduction algorithm and consider how much constraint propagation is most efficient, and whether to start with the most or least constrained variables.

    Mega-Recitation 3: Games, Minimax, Alpha-Beta

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 50:55


    This mega-recitation covers Problem 1 from Quiz 2, Fall 2007. We start with a minimax search of the game tree, and then work an example using alpha-beta pruning. We also discuss static evaluation and progressive deepening (Problem 1-C, Fall 2008 Quiz 2).

    Mega-Recitation 7: Near Misses, Arch Learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 33:04


    This mega-recitation covers a question from the Fall 2007 final exam, in which we teach a robot how to identify a table lamp. Given a starting model, we identify a heuristic and adjust the model for each example; examples can be hits or near misses.

    Mega-Recitation 5: Support Vector Machines

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:52


    We start by discussing what a support vector is, using two-dimensional graphs as an example. We work Problem 1 of Quiz 4, Fall 2008: identifying support vectors, describing the classifier, and using a kernel function to project points into a new space.

    Mega-Recitation 6: Boosting

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:55


    This mega-recitation covers the boosting problem from Quiz 4, Fall 2009. We determine which classifiers to use, then perform three rounds of boosting, adjusting the weights in each round. This gives us an expression for the final classifier.

    Mega-Recitation 4: Neural Nets

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 52:37


    We begin by discussing neural net formulas, including the sigmoid and performance functions and their derivatives. We then work Problem 2 of Quiz 3, Fall 2008, which includes running one step of back propagation and matching neural nets with classifiers.

    Mega-Recitation 2: Basic Search, Optimal Search

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 51:56


    This mega-recitation covers Problem 2 from Quiz 1, Fall 2008. We start with depth-first search and breadth-first search, using a goal tree in each case. We then discuss branch and bound and A*, and why they give different answers in this problem.

    Mega-Recitation 1: Rule-Based Systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 46:58


    In this mega-recitation, we cover Problem 1 from Quiz 1, Fall 2009. We begin with the rules and assertions, then spend most of our time on backward chaining and drawing the goal tree for Part A. We end with a brief discussion of forward chaining.

    Lecture 23: Model Merging, Cross-Modal Coupling, Course Summary

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:30


    This lecture begins with a brief discussion of cross-modal coupling. Prof. Winston then reviews big ideas of the course, suggests possible next courses, and demonstrates how a story can be understood from multiple points of view at a conceptual level.

    Lecture 21: Probabilistic Inference I

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 48:29


    We begin this lecture with basic probability concepts, and then discuss belief nets, which capture causal relationships between events and allow us to specify the model more simply. We can then use the chain rule to calculate the joint probability table.

    Lecture 22: Probabilistic Inference II

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 48:45


    We begin with a review of inference nets, then discuss how to use experimental data to develop a model, which can be used to perform simulations. If we have two competing models, we can use Bayes' rule to determine which is more likely to be accurate.

    Lecture 19: Architectures: GPS, SOAR, Subsumption, Society of Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:06


    In this lecture, we consider cognitive architectures, including General Problem Solver, SOAR, Emotion Machine, Subsumption, and Genesis. Each is based on a different hypothesis about human intelligence, such as the importance of language and stories.

    soar subsumption
    Lecture 17: Learning: Boosting

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 51:40


    Can multiple weak classifiers be used to make a strong one? We examine the boosting algorithm, which adjusts the weight of each classifier, and work through the math. We end with how boosting doesn't seem to overfit, and mention some applications.

    Lecture 18: Representations: Classes, Trajectories, Transitions

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 48:58


    In this lecture, we consider the nature of human intelligence, including our ability to tell and understand stories. We discuss the most useful elements of our inner language: classification, transitions, trajectories, and story sequences.

    Lecture 16: Learning: Support Vector Machines

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:34


    In this lecture, we explore support vector machines in some mathematical detail. We use Lagrange multipliers to maximize the width of the street given certain constraints. If needed, we transform vectors into another space, using a kernel function.

    Lecture 15: Learning: Near Misses, Felicity Conditions

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 46:53


    To determine whether three blocks form an arch, we use a model which evolves through examples and near misses; this is an example of one-shot learning. We also discuss other aspects of how students learn, and how to package your ideas better.

    Lecture 13: Learning: Genetic Algorithms

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 47:16


    This lecture explores genetic algorithms at a conceptual level. We consider three approaches to how a population evolves towards desirable traits, ending with ranks of both fitness and diversity. We briefly discuss how this space is rich with solutions.

    Lecture 14: Learning: Sparse Spaces, Phonology

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 47:49


    Why do "cats" and "dogs" end with different plural sounds, and how do we learn this? We can represent this problem in terms of distinctive features, and then generalize. We end this lecture with a brief discussion of how to approach AI problems.

    Lecture 10: Introduction to Learning, Nearest Neighbors

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:55


    This lecture begins with a high-level view of learning, then covers nearest neighbors using several graphical examples. We then discuss how to learn motor skills such as bouncing a tennis ball, and consider the effects of sleep deprivation.

    Lecture 12: Learning: Neural Nets, Back Propagation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 47:54


    How do we model neurons? In the neural net problem, we want a set of weights that makes the actual output match the desired output. We use a simple neural net to work out the back propagation algorithm, and show that it is a local computation.

    Lecture 11: Learning: Identification Trees, Disorder

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:37


    In this lecture, we build an identification tree based on yes/no tests. We start by arranging the tree based on tests that result in homogeneous subsets. For larger datasets, this is generalized by measuring the disorder of subsets.

    Lecture 9: Constraints: Visual Object Recognition

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 51:32


    We consider how object recognition has evolved over the past 30 years. In alignment theory, 2-D projections are used to determine whether an additional picture is of the same object. To recognize faces, we use intermediate-sized features and correlation.

    Lecture 8: Constraints: Search, Domain Reduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 45:24


    This lecture covers map coloring and related scheduling problems. We develop pseudocode for the domain reduction algorithm and consider how much constraint propagation is most efficient, and whether to start with the most or least constrained variables.

    Lecture 7: Constraints: Interpreting Line Drawings

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:12


    How can we recognize the number of objects in a line drawing? We consider how Guzman, Huffman, and Waltz approached this problem. We then solve an example using a method based on constraint propagation, with a limited set of junction and line labels.

    Lecture 6: Search: Games, Minimax, and Alpha-Beta

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 48:16


    In this lecture, we consider strategies for adversarial games such as chess. We discuss the minimax algorithm, and how alpha-beta pruning improves its efficiency. We then examine progressive deepening, which ensures that some answer is always available.

    Lecture 5: Search: Optimal, Branch and Bound, A*

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 48:37


    This lecture covers strategies for finding the shortest path. We discuss branch and bound, which can be refined by using an extended list or an admissible heuristic, or both (known as A*). We end with an example where the heuristic must be consistent.

    Lecture 4: Search: Depth-First, Hill Climbing, Beam

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 48:41


    This lecture covers algorithms for depth-first and breadth-first search, followed by several refinements: keeping track of nodes already considered, hill climbing, and beam search. We end with a brief discussion of commonsense vs. reflective knowledge.

    Lecture 2: Reasoning: Goal Trees and Problem Solving

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 45:58


    This lecture covers a symbolic integration program from the early days of AI. We use safe and heuristic transformations to simplify the problem, and then consider broader questions of how much knowledge is involved, and how the knowledge is represented.

    Lecture 3: Reasoning: Goal Trees and Rule-Based Expert Systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 49:56


    We consider a block-stacking program, which can answer questions about its own behavior, and then identify an animal given a list of its characteristics. Finally, we discuss how to extract knowledge from an expert, using the example of bagging groceries.

    Lecture 1: Introduction and Scope

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2013 47:19


    In this lecture, Prof. Winston introduces artificial intelligence and provides a brief history of the field. The last ten minutes are devoted to information about the course at MIT.

    Claim Artificial Intelligence

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel