I did not mean my reply to be condescending, sorry if it came across this way.
But what would be even more helpful is knowing what kinds of search strategies you would pursue if you were struck by an idea that was new to you so you didn't know what keywords to query (or if there even are any keywords for it yet).
Well, constructing a fruitful search query is not a trivial task (I wish there were an AI helping with that!). Until then, rewriting your post as a request for information is likely to reduce the downvote, if you are worried about that. BTW, I suspect that the OP's karma will go back up into positive territory after a little while, assuming it generates an interesting discussion.
In general, it is safe to assume that any new idea you are "struck by" is only new to you, given that there are some smart regulars around here, who spent a lot of time thinking about the same issues. Asking a question in the open thread might be a good way to start.
Heh heh. I'm struck by new ideas that my colleagues have never had on a fairly regular basis unfortunately. I forget that LW-ers probably smarter than my colleagues. Maybe I should ask you guys a question about my job sometime.
Supposing you have been recruited to be the main developer on an AI project. The previous developer died in a car crash and left behind an unfinished AI. It consists of:
A. A thoroughly documented scripting language specification that appears to be capable of representing any real-life program as a network diagram so long as you can provide the following:
A.1. A node within the network whose value you want to maximize or minimize.
A.2. Conversion modules that transform data about the real-world phenomena your network represents into a form that the program can read.
B. Source code from which a program can be compiled that will read scripts in the above language. The program outputs a set of values for each node that will optimize the output (you can optionally specify which nodes can and cannot be directly altered, and the granularity with which they can be altered).
It gives remarkably accurate answers for well-formulated questions. Where there is a theoretical limit to the accuracy of an answer to a particular type of question, its answer usually comes close to that limit, plus or minus some tiny rounding error.
Given that, what is the minimum set of additional features you believe would absolutely have to be implemented before this program can be enlisted to save the world and make everyone live happily forever? Try to be as specific as possible.