It would be awe-inspiring to see an inter-disciplinary approach to solving a portion of AI via Machine Learning (Micheal Jordan) and based on mimicking a portion of human cognition via "How the Mind Works" (Steven Pinker).
Machine-Learning Maestro Michael Jordan on the Delusions of Big Data and Other Huge Engineering Efforts:
http://spectrum.ieee.org/robotics/artificial-intelligence/machinelearning-maestro-michael-jordan-on-the-delusions-of-big-data-and-other-huge-engineering-efforts
Steven Pinker on How the Mind Works:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Mind_Works
I think this is the only way we are going to make real progress on the AI front.