Kandenski

Affective Computing Age                               Sherry Courington One of human’s most unique characteristics is the ability to read other’s expressions and determine emotions they’re experiencing. This is a very early trait we acquired pre-language and writing. It is what makes us a unique species, in addition to our ability to question our origin and long-term future. It’s also present in other vertebrates who display emotions like hunger to their parents. Emotion gives us a depth of understanding and experience we wouldn’t have otherwise, first physically and later cognitively . The absence of consciousness in computers has always led us to conclude that they are like zombies – absent emotions and motivation. It’s easy to dismiss computers as dumb machines. But consider the changes our information age has brought. Google almost any question and Google’s spiders cross an infinit...