Human Computation - Google Video
Luis von Ahn is an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University, ... all » where
he also received his Ph.D. in 2005. Previously, Luis obtained a B.S. in
mathematics from Duke University in 2000. He is the recipient of a
Microsoft Research Fellowship.
ABSTRACT
Tasks like image recognition are trivial for humans, but continue to
challenge even the most sophisticated computer programs. This talk
introduces a paradigm for utilizing human processing power to solve
problems that computers cannot yet solve. Traditional approaches to
solving such problems focus on improving software. I advocate a novel
approach: constructively channel human brainpower using computer games.
For example, the ESP Game, described in this talk, is an enjoyable
online game -- many people play over 40 hours a week -- and when people
play, they help label images on the Web with descriptive keywords.
These keywords can be used to significantly improve the accuracy of
image search. People play the game not because they want to help, but
because they enjoy it.
I describe other examples of "games with a purpose":
Peekaboom, which helps determine the location of objects in images, and
Verbosity, which collects common-sense knowledge. I also explain a
general approach for constructing games with a purpose.
