CategoryArtificial Intelligence
Why machines can’t think as we do
As philosopher Michael Polanyi noted, much that we know is hard to codify or automate
Why can’t machines learn simple tasks?
They can learn to play chess more easily than to walk
The new politically correct chatbot was worse?
If you are a human being who talks to people for a living, don’t quit your job
AI That Can Read Minds?
Deconstructing AI hype
Claim: Yes, you can upload your brain
Fine print: They might have to kill you first
Virtual Railroads and West Virginia Back Roads
AI’s Temptation to Theft Over Honest Toil
Big Question: Can Big Data read the minds of others?
And should Facebook scan your posts for suicidal thoughts? (It does.)Neurologist Robert Burton reflects at Aeon on the fact that mind reading does not really work. Most fashionable theories of mind, like the mirror neuron theory, have not really been much use: This is not to say that we have no idea of what goes on in another’s mind. The brain is a superb pattern-recogniser; we routinely correctly anticipate that others will feel grief at a funeral, joy at a child’s first birthday party, and anger when cut off on the freeway. We are right often enough to trust our belief that others generally will feel as we do. More. True, but the problem isn’t with recognizing what most people probably think; it’s with recognizing unusual but important patterns. How Read More ›
Robot priests: And you thought “robotic religion” was just a pointed criticism… ?
You know, rote prayers, mindless gestures… Is that the way of the future for some?Reuters announced last year that in Japan, a robot can be hired to perform Buddhist funeral rites: A Japanese company has introduced a new role for SoftBank’s humanoid robot “Pepper” – a Buddhist priest for hire at funerals. … With Japan’s population ageing and shrinking, many Buddhist priests receive less financial support from their communities, prompting some to find part-time work outside their temple duties, said Michio Inamura, Nissei’s executive adviser. The funeral robot could step in when a priest was not available, he said. It also cost less at 50,000 yen (about $450) per funeral compared to more than 240,000 yen ($2,200) for a human priest. More. As of August 2017, the robot priest had not yet been Read More ›
How Humans Can Thrive in a World of Increasing Automation
Remarks on the purpose and goals of the Walter Bradley Center at its launchAt the official launch of the Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence, July 11, 2018, design theorist design theorist William Dembski offered three key thoughts on the center’s purpose and goals—and how its work may be evaluated. Dr. Dembski was unable to attend*, so his remarks were read by the Center’s director Robert J. Marks: Good evening. Thank you for attending this launch of the Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. In my talk tonight, I’m going to address three points: (1) the importance of its work, (2) its likely impact, and (3) why it is appropriately named after Walter Bradley. First, however, I want to thank friends and colleagues of Seattle’s Discovery Institute for their Read More ›
Neurosurgeon outlines why machines can’t think
The hallmark of human thought is meaning, and the hallmark of computation is indifference to meaning.
AI machines taking over the world?
It’s a cool apocalypse but does that make it more likely?
AI can mean ultimate Big Surveillance
That’s what we should really worry about
Why “Mind Matters” Matter
Mind Matters is a podcast and a news and commentary site where “artificial and natural intelligence meet head-on.” That’s a great slogan, but what does it mean? As your host for the podcast part of the site, I thought I’d take advantage of my role to talk you about some of our exciting plans for both the podcast and the online journal (the latter to be edited by science journalist Denyse O’Leary). Here’s a quick run-down: Topics Mind Matters will track the latest developments in applied AI and technology. How will AI continue to augment human performance and abilities? What are the latest innovations of AI? And how does AI affect you? How is AI applied in pricing your admission Read More ›
The Threat, Promise, and Limits of AI
New Center to Explore the PossibilitiesWhat is a human being? Are we unique creatures, bearing evidence of purpose in our making? Or are we meat-clad robots, a race of glitchy natural machines sprung up by chance through unguided evolution? Read More ›