生成式人工智慧的先驅：朱邦復

Pioneer of Generative AI: Chu Bong-Foo

生成式人工智慧聊天機器人ChatGPT一夕爆紅。但有誰知道，中文電腦之父、倉頡輸入法的發明者朱邦復(1937年10月12日–)，可說是「生成式人工智慧」的先軀(Pioneer of Generative AI)呢。

ChatGPT為基於生成式預訓練轉換器(Generative Pre-trained Transformer, GPT) 的聊天機器人(Chatbot)。什麼是「生成式」(generative)呢？

ChatGPT的生成式(Generative)

1950年代，在人工智慧發展的初期，當時的機器學習（machine learning）是基於固定法則的(rule-based)，亦即和機器人對談時，其問句和答句是事先設定好的(pre-scripted)。

反之，生成式人工智慧源自2014年由Ian Goodfellow及其同事所提出的生成對抗網絡(Generative Adversarial Networks, GANs)，及至ChatGPT所使用的「生成式」（Generative），則是指(ChatGPT)模型能創造出新的內容，而不是從預先編寫好的腳本中選擇答案，此即所謂的「生成式」人工智慧。

生成式的比喻

ChatGPT可比喻成一隻「金母雞」，餵她特定的飼料（即輸入特定的問題或指令），而產出具有特定品質的蛋（即生成特定的回答或內容）。

在這個比喻中，ChatGPT（金母雞）通過接收和處理輸入（特定的飼料），生成客製化的輸出（特定品質的蛋），此即「現做的」（生成式）。相對的，從超市購買的蛋則是「現成的」（已製成的）。

另一個比喻是 「中央廚房」 與 「餐廳」的不同。中央廚房的食物是「現成的」(已製成的)，而餐廳的餐點就是「現做的」（生成式）。

倉頡輸入法與生成式中文字型顯示

朱邦復先生於1976年發明倉頡輸入法。在開發倉頡輸入法期間，他發現中文輸入法，也可以是一種新的計算機字符編碼方法(computer character encoding)。因此，1979年，他發展了一種理論，稱為「中文DNA」或「漢字基因」理論(Chinese Character Gene theory)。根據此一理論，發明了中文字生成程序，可以動態生成中文字型於螢幕顯示，而不是使用儲存於記憶體已製作好的字型(pre-scripted fonts)。

此一創新與宏碁公司(Multitech後改名Acer)合作，使用於1982年推出的全球第一部中文家用電腦小教授二號。

朱邦復使用系統化的方法生成中文字型，開創了創新的思路，在概念上可以說是目前生成式人工智慧(Generative AI)的先軀。比2014年由Ian Goodfellow及其同事所提出的生成對抗網絡(Generative Adversarial Networks, GANs)早了30多年。

當年至今，大概很少人像我一樣對倉頡輸入法情有獨鍾，就像現在瘋迷ChatGPT一般。1987年1月投入倉頡輸入法，花了一小時研究並了解中文字解碼，接著密集練習。一年兩個月後，於1988年3月取得台北市電腦商業公會（董事長施振榮）舉辦的「中文電腦輸入技能測驗合格」。之後，並於中科院大力授課推廣。

Window 3.0的興起

在眾所熟知的Window 95, Window 98之前，Window 3.0與Window 3.1已於May 1990, 及April , 1992相繼興起，進入台灣市場。

在與財力雄厚的微軟公司競爭中，Windows系統逐漸成為主流選擇，朱邦復的方法最終未能取得主導地位而逐漸被邊緣化。

朱先生的中文造字法雖然未涉及現代機器學習(machine learning)或深度學習(deep learning)技術，然其創新的方法確實具「生成式」(generative)的概念，足以稱其為「生成式人工智慧」(Generative AI)的先驅。

遇見朱邦復

朱邦復先生在面對其技術和理念未能獲得市場或政府方面的廣泛支持下，仍然堅持創新和理想。1991年11月13日，我參加了朱邦復先生在台北國際會議中心舉行的《智慧學九論》新書手稿(該書於1998年9月1日正式出版)及《第五代倉頡輸入法》發表會。朱先生在新書發表會上，回憶起中文電腦系統發展始末時，真情流露，仍不禁老淚縱橫。

當天會後，他親自簽名送我《智慧學九論》及《第五代倉頡輸入法手冊》。

傑出貢獻獎

朱邦復先生的發明和創新，對後來中文電腦的發展有深遠的影響，不僅是技術上的突破，更顯現其對語言和文化的深刻理解。

對於像朱邦復先生這樣的創新者(倉頡輸入法是免付費的），政府或資訊界對朱先生的貢獻是否應該像金像獎或金馬獎一樣，及時表彰他的特殊貢獻。不是強調個人英雄主義，而是讓所有人在使用先進科技的同時，了解科技發展的人文涵義及其對整個科技發展過程中人文價值的肯定。

English version for international students

Pioneer of Generative AI – Chu Bong-Foo

The ChatGPT, based on generative artificial intelligence, became an overnight sensation. But who knows that the father of Chinese computing and the inventor of the Cangjie input method, Chu Bong-Foo (born October 12, 1937), can be considered a pioneer of “Generative Artificial Intelligence.”

ChatGPT is a chatbot based on a Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT).

What is “generative”?

The Generative Aspect of ChatGPT

In the 1950s, during the early stages of artificial intelligence development, machine learning was based on fixed rules (rule-based), meaning that the questions and answers exchanged with robots were pre-scripted.

On the other hand, generative artificial intelligence originated from the Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) proposed by Ian Goodfellow and his colleagues in 2014.

The “generative” nature of ChatGPT refers to the model’s ability to create new content, rather than selecting answers from a pre-written script. This is what is known as “generative” artificial intelligence.

The Metaphor of Generative

ChatGPT can be likened to a “golden laying hen,” where feeding it specific feed (i.e., inputting specific questions or commands) results in eggs of a specific quality (i.e., generating specific responses or content).

In this analogy, ChatGPT (the golden hen) generates customized outputs (eggs of specific quality) by receiving and processing inputs (specific feed), which is termed “made-to-order” (generative). In contrast, buying eggs from a supermarket is akin to “ready-made” (pre-made).

Another analogy is the difference between a “central kitchen” and a “restaurant.” Food from a central kitchen is “ready-made” (pre-made), while meals at a restaurant are “made-to-order” (generative).

Cangjie Input Method and Generative Chinese Character Display

Mr. Chu Bong-Foo invented the Cangjie input method in 1976. During its development, he realized that a Chinese input method could also be a new method of computer character encoding. Therefore, in 1979, he developed a theory known as “Chinese DNA” or the “Chinese Character Gene” theory. Based on this theory, he invented a Chinese character generation program that could dynamically generate Chinese characters on a screen rather than using pre-scripted fonts stored in memory.

This innovation was collaborated with Multitech (later renamed Acer) and used in the world’s first Chinese home computer, the “Xiao Jiaoxue II,” launched in 1982.

Chu Bong-Foo used a systematic method to generate Chinese characters pioneering an innovative approach. Conceptually, he can be regarded as a precursor to the current Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI). This was more than 30 years before the Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) proposed by Ian Goodfellow and his colleagues in 2014.

Since that time until now, probably very few people have been as devoted to the Cangjie input method as I have, similar to the current craze for ChatGPT. In January 1987, I started exploring the Cangjie input method, spending an hour studying and understanding the Changjie decoding of Chinese characters, followed by intensive practice. One year and two months later, in March 1988, I obtained a qualification in the “Chinese Computer Input Skills Test” organized by the Taipei City Computer Business Association (Chairman Stan Shih). Subsequently, I vigorously taught and promoted it in the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).

Rise of Windows 3.0

Before the well-known Windows 95 and Windows 98, Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1 had already entered the Taiwanese market in May 1990 and April 1992, respectively.

In competition with the financially strong Microsoft Corporation, the Windows system gradually became the mainstream choice, leading to the marginalization of Chu Bong-Foo’s methods and preventing them from gaining a dominant position.

Although Mr. Chu’s method of Chinese character creation did not involve modern machine learning or deep learning technologies, its innovative approach indeed embodied the concept of “generative” technology, qualifying him to be considered a pioneer of “Generative Artificial Intelligence” (Generative AI).

Meeting Chu Bong-Foo

Despite facing a lack of widespread support from the market or government for his technology and ideas, Mr. Chu Bong-Foo remained committed to innovation and his ideals. On November 13, 1991, I attended Mr. Chu’s presentation at the Taipei International Convention Center, where he introduced the manuscript of his new book, “The Nine Discussions on Wisdom” (officially published on September 1, 1998), and the launch of the “Fifth Generation Cangjie Input Method.” During the book launch, Mr. Chu, recalling the history of the development of Chinese computer systems, was visibly moved and couldn’t help but shed tears.

After the event that day, he personally signed and presented me with copies of “The Nine Discussions on Wisdom” and the “Fifth Generation Cangjie Input Method Manual.”

Outstanding Contribution Award

Mr. Chu Bong-Foo’s inventions and innovations had a profound impact on the subsequent development of Chinese computing(The Changjie input method is free of charge). It was not only a technological breakthrough but also demonstrated a deep understanding of language and culture.

For innovators like Mr. Chu Bong-Foo, should the government or the tech community recognize his contributions in a timely manner, similar to the Golden Globe Awards or the Golden Horse Awards? This is not about emphasizing heroism but allowing everyone to understand the humanistic significance of technological development and its affirmation of humanistic values in the entire process of technological evolution while using advanced technology.