147266 http://uservoice.com/users/147266-austinlorenz http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/dd097081c4c4367660dc4ead20025a7a?default=http://uservoice.com/images/icons/default-avatar.jpg austinlorenz austinlorenz austinlorenz 0 0 69051 http://ideas.obamacto.org/pages/6111-obama-cto/suggestions/69051-launch-more-x-prize-type-contests Spur innovation by putting a few million dollar prizes out there. You'll get a lot more than a million dollars of innovative work out of it. Spur innovation by putting a few million dollar prizes out there. You'll get a lot more than a million dollars of innovative work out of it. 844 3 6111 Obama CTO general 125350 anonymous anonymous anonymous 2008-11-12T03:46:08Z 2008-11-12T03:46:08Z general 70261 http://ideas.obamacto.org/pages/6111-obama-cto/suggestions/70261-fund-ai-research-both-weak-and-strong Whether it's the economy, energy, education, health care or national security, one of the common aspects of each of these challenges is that they require decision making in the face of uncertainty.... Whether it's the economy, energy, education, health care or national security, one of the common aspects of each of these challenges is that they require decision making in the face of uncertainty. This is one of the things that AI can excel at. AI got a bad rap early on after promises that a "thinking machine" was right around the corner proved to be vapor, but it's a reality whose time is coming. We are making rapid advances in understanding the brain. We have cars that are starting to drive themselves. We have started to understand the mathematical origin of spontaneous behavior in fruit flies. There's a compelling theory on how the neocortex works. Many at the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence give estimates of 30-100 years to achieve strong AI. AI could aid in making decisions on tax policy, bailout fund allocation and choosing between alternative energy choices, where currently decisions in those areas are often based on ideology, belief, or worse yet, special interests. It could help with terrorist network mapping, functional DNA analysis and many similarly difficult challenges. Despite this, AI research, especially strong AI research, is horribly underfunded. Monetary returns aren't always immediately apparent, but isn't the possibility of a strong AI worth trying for? Aren't the immediate applications for weak AI obvious? If not the government funding this, then who? Do we want to risk _not_ being the country where the first strong AI is developed? 15 1 6111 Obama CTO general 131305 phinaesgage phinaesgage phinaesgage 2008-11-13T03:07:44Z 2008-11-13T03:07:44Z general 70486 http://ideas.obamacto.org/pages/6111-obama-cto/suggestions/70486-space-mining-of-helium-3-for-fusion-power Space mining would provide be a new industry space if it were profitable. One application for space mining would be helium 3 mining for fusion power and thus reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The... Space mining would provide be a new industry space if it were profitable. One application for space mining would be helium 3 mining for fusion power and thus reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The moon and gas giants are know to have helium 3 deposits and in combination with building a space elevator, costs to mine these material can reduce over time to affordable levels. 53 3 6111 Obama CTO general 135172 anonymous anonymous anonymous 2008-11-13T08:44:07Z 2008-11-13T08:44:07Z general 70791 http://ideas.obamacto.org/pages/6111-obama-cto/suggestions/70791-send-humans-to-mars NASA has inspired generations of Americans to study mathematics and science, all while providing us with real, practical results (solar energy, improved ceramics, GPS, better telecommunications,... NASA has inspired generations of Americans to study mathematics and science, all while providing us with real, practical results (solar energy, improved ceramics, GPS, better telecommunications, personal computers...). Unfortunately, NASA became derailed after the Apollo program ended and its funding has dwindled. Restore NASA to its former glory and give it a goal they can really sink their teeth into: Send humans to Mars! 6 1 6111 Obama CTO general 137298 anonymous anonymous anonymous 2008-11-13T15:37:53Z 2008-11-13T15:37:53Z general 2008-11-16T22:45:12Z 2008-11-21T04:34:29Z