The evolution of computing

Personal computers coupled with the technologies like the world wide web have literally transformed the world in which we live. Today we can find evidence that the field of machine learning will produce the next revolutionary technology to affect humanity for better or worse. Recently the National Science Foundation has supported a project that looks to use machine learning to manage the complexity in the fields of emergency response, product development, health care, education, and the economy. Although this sounds exciting, machine learning might ultimately put people out of a job. Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University are using techniques in machine learning to classify strawberry quality. They claim that their technology "harvested plants more consistently and faster than workers could, with a comparable error rate." This is one step in the evolution of the computer industry that shows computers making subjective decisions faster and as well as humans. We can only wonder how this evolution will affect our society.