Moravec's paradox

English

Etymology

Articulated in the 1980s by Hans Moravec, among others.

Proper noun

Moravec's paradox

1. (computing, robotics) The observation that, contrary to traditional assumptions, reasoning (which is high-level in humans) requires very little computation, but sensorimotor skills (comparatively low-level in humans) require enormous computational resources.
   • 2016, Hod Lipson, Melba Kurman, Driverless: Intelligent Cars and the Road Ahead, MIT Press, →ISBN, page 73:

     Dr. Herculano-Houzel's research on the human brain reveals an unexpected insight that sheds light on Moravec's paradox: our ability to perceive and respond to our immediate environment actually demands a lot of brainpower.