What skills would a NAI-4 have in 2011?

[vicky_molokh]

Originally Posted by Langy

Math is easy to put there. We arguably already have dedicated AIs with Math skill - look at Mathematica or any of the other computer algebra systems out there. Math has a set of rules to it, and things with a set of rules (even if there are tons of them) are easy to program, even if normal people can't use them so well because the rule set is so large and humans are so terrible at using them.

I wouldn't say it's easy. I do agree that Lightning Calculator and Intuitive Mathematician are TL7- traits for 'AIs'. But tell me, how many breakthroughs in math have been performed by computers? How many theorem proofs have been written by computers? I keep reading that this or that person wrote such-and-such a solution to Einstein's equations. I never heard of a computer device doing on its own. Ease problems by brute-forcing them by superior calculation speed - yes. Actually doing stuff that falls outside that (like figuring out the axioms of planimetry) - that's different.

Originally Posted by Langy

I've never heard that accountants are considered the primary clientele of tech support before - sounds rather dubious to me, seeing as non-accountants greatly outnumber accountants.

Sure, but non-accountants don't need to handle programs of that level of technicality on a daily basis while having an administrative/financial education, not a technical one.

Sure, it's niche, but it's a niche large enough. It got to the point that '1C programmer' is a distinct job/specialization descriptor. Maybe it's different elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Langy

In any case, accountants are still not consumers. They're providers. They provide a service and, as such, software specific to them shouldn't be on every single AI out there. Also, while Merchant might be useful for most people, Finance, Market Analysis, etc are all more important for people who actually handle money - in other words, useful mainly for accountants and the people who hire accountants. There's no reason to put software in the AI that will eliminate half of an entire job group. Maybe some small amount of Accounting skill would be added to the NAI to help people with home finances ala TurboTax, but I don't think Finance or Market Analysis would be required.

While not required, they seem to be the desired skills pretty much. Anyway, Writing and Computer Operation (and Literacy!) are probably good things. Body Language can both help the AI understand the person, and help many people deal with other people.

Originally Posted by Langy

I don't see why IQ+2 is too low - that's generally the highest I see skills get on SJG-created character sheets for realistic games, and it seems unlikely that they'd be able to give the AI a higher relative skill level than the programmers have access to. Besides, IQ+2 sounds more than reasonable; it really prevents these silly 'my AI is more than professionally competent at everything even though he's a complete moron!' situations.

It's a good limit for settings like Star Wars and Mass Effect where most AIs are idiots in their own fields. But I think the possibility of at least moderat AI savants should be there. Not to the point of being better than typical 150-point heroes are in their fields, but at least enough to rival them if built on a moderately impressive budget.