Cybernetic is an interdisciplinary field of study incorporating control theory, information theory, systems science and engineering. Its aim is to develop theories and methodologies for the design and operation of complex systems – ranging from biological organisms to social organizations and artificial intelligence.
The term “cybernetic” was first coined in Norbert Wiener’s book Cybernetics or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine, published in 1948. In this work, Wiener defined cybernetics as “the scientific study of control and communication in the animal and the machine”. He proposed that all living organisms, including humans, are self-regulating systems that maintain their stability through feedback loops.
Feedback occurs when information about a system’s current state is used to modify its future behavior. For example, feedback from our eyes tells our brain how far away an object is, so that we can adjust our arm muscles accordingly when reaching for it. In cybernetic terms, feedback is essential for goal-oriented behavior: it allows us to compare our desired state with our actual state, and take action to close the gap between them.
In addition to its role in living systems, cybernetics has also been applied to artificial intelligence (AI) research. Here, the focus is on designing intelligent agents – software programs that can autonomously carry out tasks on behalf of their users. One well-known example of an AI agent is IBM’s Watson computer system, which won the Jeopardy! game show against human opponents in 2011.
While AI technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, there are still many challenges to be addressed before machines can match or exceed human intelligence levels. One key issue is how best to incorporate knowledge into AI agents so that they can reason like humans do. Another challenge relates to making sure that AI agents act ethically; as autonomous beings with increasing levels of power over us, it is important to ensure that they always act in our best interests.