Computer and Robot Vision (CRV) conference

I was at the AI/GI/CRV/IS set of conferences last week and took part in a panel discussion on the future of artificial intelligence, along with Jonathan Schaeffer and Kate Larson, and moderated by Kevin Leyton-Brown. We had been charged by Kevin to try and be a bit controversial, and managed get a bit of debate going, especially between Jonathan and myself, although I think we really pretty much agree deep down on the big issues.

One on my more provocative comments was that both the research areas of artificial intelligence and computer vision could be regarded as branches of robotics. This was not meant to be a comment on the relative importance or the areas, but to unify them under a common umbrella. It also does not imply that all AI must deal with embodiment, just as all AI need not deal with cognition. In terms of positioning thee areas within computer science though, I think this is a needed (and correct) grouping consistent with their historical relationship and genesis.