Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

CategoryArtificial Intelligence

trees-garden-and-plants-people-in-portrait-community-service-sustainability-collaboration-and-eco-friendly-project-gardening-sustainable-growth-and-happy-worker-in-teamwork-forest-or-nature-park-stockpack-adobe-stock
Trees, garden and plants people in portrait community service, sustainability collaboration and eco friendly project. Gardening, sustainable growth and happy worker in teamwork, forest or nature park

Against the Tyranny of Data

Computer scientist and tech entrepreneur Erik J. Larson is launching his own Substack channel dedicated to promoting human flourishing in the computer age
We are not machines and were made for more than dataistic input and output. It’s to that central idea that Larson is dedicating his new project. Read More ›
portrait-close-up-of-one-young-beautiful-attractive-blonde-young-girl-holding-camera-and-taking-selfie-picture-at-the-beach-enjoying-outdoors-free-time-with-sunset-in-the-background-stockpack-adobe-stock
Portrait close up of one young beautiful attractive blonde young girl holding camera and taking selfie picture at the beach enjoying outdoors free time with sunset in the background.

National Review: Let AI Take Over Social Media Influencing

AI influencers are revealing how vapid social media really is

We’ve recently commented on the AI influencer phenomenon, which seems to be taking social media by storm. With advanced AI imaging, more AI influencers are popping up, and they already look comparable to the likes of Kim Kardashian. The social media influencing world depends on primarily women selling their bodies for revenue. Instagram has tended heavily in this direction, and with the advent of OnlyFans, the temptation to flaunt oneself so provocatively is tangible for many. National Review writer Haley Strack thinks that the AI influencer horde will out-compete real-life influencers and eventually rule out the need for humans at all. She writes, Some criticize AI for giving young men another possibly perverse, sexual outlet online — but men who Read More ›

humanoid-robot-artist-painting-a-portrait-on-a-canvas-in-an-artist-studio-showing-the-concept-of-science-and-artificial-intelligence-technology-computer-generative-ai-stock-illustration-image-stockpack-adobe-stock
Humanoid robot artist painting a portrait on a canvas in an artist studio showing the concept of science and artificial intelligence technology, computer Generative AI stock illustration image

AI “Art” Can’t Be Copyrighted, Judge Rules

Copyright entails original, human creation, which AI images don't reflect

A federal judge has ruled that AI-generated artwork can’t legally be attributed to the person who prompted the work, according to The Verge. AI-generated artwork systems like DALL-E and Midjourney, despite their impressive capabilities, have sparked debate and legal controversies regarding the rights of artists and whether AI images should be treated as independent and original creations. For United States District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell, AI art isn’t original and therefore can not be copyrighted. (RELATED: Will Stability AI Go Down in Court? | Mind Matters) In justifying her decision, Howell said that copyright always involves a human hand. Wes Davis reports, In her decision, Judge Howell wrote that copyright has never been granted to work that was “absent Read More ›

human-hand-shakes-artificial-intelligence-robotic-hand-concept-of-union-between-human-being-and-artificial-intelligence-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
Human hand shakes artificial intelligence robotic hand, concept of union between human being and artificial intelligence, Generative AI

Artificial Intelligence: The Final Stage of Disembodiment?

The Internet invites a disembodied existence. Is AI the next step?
Kemp's vivid picture of Internet addiction is sadly accurate for many modern folks, especially those enmeshed in the superficial, image-driven economy of social media. Read More ›
group-of-college-students-studying-in-the-school-library-a-girl-and-a-boy-are-using-a-laptop-and-connecting-to-internet-stockpack-adobe-stock
Group of college students studying in the school library, a girl and a boy are using a laptop and connecting to internet

Teachers Gear Up for a New Year – and ChatGPT

Due to ChatGPT's popularity, many schools are seeking ways to integrate the technology into their learning environments.

GPT-3, released by OpenAI in November, swiftly undermined the integrity of many a student’s academic work. Professors across disciplines have had to contend with how to discern machine vs. human-generated work. Now, with a new school year underway, that challenge remains. Due to ChatGPT’s popularity, many schools are seeking ways to integrate the technology into their learning environments. But the question of how to do this remains murky. Bloomberg reports, But professors and administrators seeking to integrate generative AI into their curriculums are left with a big question: How? They need to find the right middle ground, said Steve Weber, vice provost of undergraduate curriculum and education at Drexel University. Educators can’t completely prohibit use of the tool and neglect to teach it, but Read More ›

concert-view-of-saxophonist-a-saxophone-sax-player-with-musical-band-during-jazz-orchestra-show-performing-music-on-stage-in-the-scene-lights-generated-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
Concert view of saxophonist, a saxophone sax player with musical band during jazz orchestra show performing music on stage in the scene lights. Generated AI.

Could AI Ever Master Jazz Music?

Jazz depends so much on spontaneity and improvisation.
Hirsen defended the human uniqueness of jazz music in particular, noting how in this musical genre, spontaneity and in-person experiences are essential. Read More ›
travelers-together-around-the-campfire-enjoying-the-fresh-air-near-the-tent-under-the-milky-way-in-the-evening-silhouettes-of-two-adventurous-people-camping-in-the-mountains-under-the-starry-sky-stockpack-adobe-stock
Travelers together around the campfire, enjoying the fresh air near the tent under the Milky Way in the evening. Silhouettes of two adventurous people camping in the mountains under the starry sky.

Literature and Personal Consciousness: Why AI Can’t Speak to You

AI can never intend meaning like a human author can
One non-computable aspect of great literature is evident: a personal consciousness was responsible for creating it. Read More ›
top-view-work-workplace-a-team-of-young-office-workers-businessmen-with-laptop-working-at-the-table-communicating-together-in-an-office-corporate-businessteam-and-manager-in-a-meeting-coworking-stockpack-adobe-stock
top view work workplace. A team of young office workers, businessmen with laptop working at the table, communicating together in an office. Corporate businessteam and manager in a meeting. coworking.

OpenAI CEO: Yes, AI Will Take Jobs Away

Technology has historically replaced human workers only to add new jobs. Is AI any different?

Sam Altman, the CEO of the AI company OpenAI, which was responsible for developing the Large Language Model ChatGPT, said in an interview with The Atlantic that AI will definitely be taking some jobs away, striking a blow to some AI optimists who claim that this won’t be the case. According to Business Insider, “A lot of people working on AI pretend that it’s only going to be good; it’s only going to be a supplement; no one is ever going to be replaced,” he said. “Jobs are definitely going to go away, full stop.” –ChatGPT Creator Sam Altman Says ‘Jobs Are Definitely Going to Go Away’ (businessinsider.com) While certain jobs might go the wayside, it’s possible AI could introduce Read More ›

cyber-security-ai-mind-network-management-modern-data-center-cloud-networking-ai-generated-art-stockpack-adobe-stock
Cyber security, AI Mind, Network Management, Modern Data Center, Cloud Networking, AI Generated Art

Evaluating Yuval Harari’s Dystopian Views on AI

Does AI spell the doom of democracy?

Will infotech and biotech erode human agency, subvert human desires, and render free-market economics obsolete? At first glance, there looks to be a wide gap between the future of AI and the destruction of democracy. Some futurists claim to have jumped that chasm. In a cheery little column published by The Atlantic, Yuval Noah Harari posits AI will ultimately destroy democracy and favor Digital Dictatorships. He notes that liberal democracies have been anomalies and that history tends to favor authoritarian governance. What is his argument and does it hold water? We’ve been sharing a number of lectures from past COSM conferences and other videos. This video is just one of many you can find at the Bradley Center’s YouTube page. There Read More ›

a-digital-avatar-or-artificial-intelligence-with-an-asian-female-face-surrounded-by-software-code-in-cyberspace-blurring-the-line-between-real-world-and-virtual-reality-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
A digital avatar or artificial intelligence with an Asian female face surrounded by software code in cyberspace. Blurring the line between real world and virtual reality. Generative AI

AI Influencers Are Starting to Explode

Seeing how artificial and impersonal the influencer lifestyle already is, maybe it was inevitable.

AI avatars are starting to flood the social media “influencing” sphere. Seeing how artificial and impersonal the influencer lifestyle already is, maybe it was inevitable. The “Instagram influencer” is a relatively new phenom: an attractive, usually young, person flaunts certain brands on social media for revenue. The phrase “digital creator” is a common tag on bios, and countless young women have made a living off of selling their looks on Instagram. So how might AI play into all this? Well, there are now hundreds of AI internet personalities flooding social media. And they look pretty convincing. Victor Tangermann reports, Thanks to the advent of AI-powered image generators like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, some are now fabricating entire feeds of internet Read More ›

3d-illustration-concept-image-embossed-mesh-representing-internet-connections-in-cloud-computing-stockpack-adobe-stock
3D illustration, concept image. Embossed mesh representing internet connections in cloud computing.

The Secret Ingredient for AI: Ergodicity

If you don't know the term, you need to
Economist George Gilder notes that creativity in invention and entrepreneurism is characterized by innovative surprise. Read More ›
ocean-sunset-rays-stockpack-adobe-stock
Ocean Sunset Rays

Running from TikTok to Baptism and Truth

AI-powered social media is hurting kids, but look at the simultaneous revival happening, writes Robert J. Marks
Even while AI-powered apps addict and enslave so many, Marks thinks God is reaching this generation is a fresh and powerful way. Read More ›
doctor-with-virtual-reality-in-operation-room-in-hospitalsurgeon-analyzing-patient-heart-testing-result-and-human-anatomy-on-technological-digital-futuristic-virtual-interfacedigital-holographic-stockpack-adobe-stock
Doctor with virtual reality in operation room in hospital.Surgeon analyzing patient heart testing result and human anatomy on technological digital futuristic virtual interface,digital holographic

Can AI Customize and Individualize Healthcare?

Mundie thinks some aspects of biology are too complex for humans. Could AI help?
Craig Mundie says that his dream is to make artificial intelligence one day rival human intellect. Read More ›
machine-learning-artificial-intelligence-ai-deep-learning-and-future-concept-wireframe-brain-connect-with-circuit-electronic-graphic-and-binary-code-abstract-backgroundblue-tone-stockpack-adobe-stock
Machine learning , artificial intelligence , ai , deep learning and future concept. Wireframe Brain connect with circuit electronic graphic and binary code abstract background.Blue tone

The Myth of Artificial Intelligence

Tech entrepreneur Erik J. Larson on why the AI hype is profoundly misplaced

In today’s featured COSM video, watch author Erik J. Larson discusses ideas underlying his book, The Myth of Artificial Intelligence, as well as what he is exploring in his next book, which focuses on the history of the 21st Century so far. Here’s the summary of the book from Amazon: Futurists insist that AI will soon eclipse the capacities of the most gifted human mind. What hope do we have against superintelligent machines? But we aren’t really on the path to developing intelligent machines. In fact, we don’t even know where that path might be. A tech entrepreneur and pioneering research scientist working at the forefront of natural language processing, Erik Larson takes us on a tour of the landscape Read More ›

lazy-office-worker-with-feet-and-socks-on-table-useless-and-relaxing-man-doing-nothing-or-taking-break-from-work-in-workstation-businessman-resting-during-workday-laziness-and-relax-concept-stockpack-adobe-stock
Lazy office worker with feet and socks on table. Useless and relaxing man doing nothing or taking break from work in workstation. Businessman resting during workday. Laziness and relax concept.

ChatGPT: The Perfect Gadget for a Culture in Decline?

ChatGPT is an impersonal machine and can't generate meaning

Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, professor of English at Grove City College and an editor at The Front Porch Republic, wrote an article for Plough on what he regards as the primary weakness of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Bilbro comes to the issue from a literary background, which means he values the human element in language as a mode of communication. Literature is a “conversation,” requiring sentient minds. He sees ChatGPT as a soulless mechanism that will atrophy our ability to write and diminish our appreciation for good writing. Bilbro writes, LLMs are a technology suited to a decadent culture, one that chases easy profits rather than tackles the real challenges we face. It’s easier to make money rearranging words Read More ›

-stockpack-adobe-stock
銀河

Of AI and Aliens: Two Philosophers Give Their Thoughts

These sound minds are great resources to draw from in the chaos of our times
Sean McDowell of Biola University asked philosophers William Lane Craig and J.P. Moreland what they thought of extraterrestrial life and its implications. Read More ›
night-city-panorama-with-network-hologram-stockpack-adobe-stock
Night city panorama with network hologram

AI’s Role in Unlocking Human Potential

Can AI replicate or exceed human knowledge and creativity?

In today’s featured video from a past COSM conference, we ask the question: can artificial intelligence replicate or exceed human knowledge and creativity? What are AI’s implications for the workforce? Oren Etzioni, CEO of Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, George Montañez, Iris and Howard Critchell Professor of Computer Science at Harvey Mudd College, Robert J. Marks, Distinguished Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Baylor University, and Matt McIlwain, managing director Madrona Venture Group discuss the new business and career opportunities created by artificial intelligence, and whether AI and humanity will merge at some point in the future. We’ve been sharing a number of lectures from past COSM conferences. This video is just one of many you can find at Read More ›

planet-earth-from-space-peoples-republic-of-china-highlighted-elements-of-this-image-courtesy-of-nasa-stockpack-adobe-stock
Planet Earth from Space People's Republic of China highlighted, elements of this image courtesy of NASA

China’s Chatbot Toes the Party Line

How will China control what AI does and doesn't say?
The Chinese Communist Party is well aware that even if LLMs are trained on sanitized data, the output is still value-laden. Read More ›
ai-writer-chat-gpt-computer-stockpack-adobe-stock
AI Writer Chat GPT Computer

Do AI Developers Really Not Know What They’re Making?

A speech-and-language AI researcher counterclaims the doomsdayers

A new article by AI researcher Arlie Coles at American Mind aims to “demystify” artificial intelligence, particularly the claim that AI creators have no idea what they’re creating. Coles says that we understand AI much better than the doomsdayers let on. Part of the reason for AI’s cloudy nature is due to its mathematical complexity, which Coles finds understandable. But that’s no reason not to try and understand what AI is and gauge its benefits and capacities in an accurate light. She writes, We do know what we’re building and how it works, and it’s not too late for us to speak forthrightly about AI so that the general public, not just those with math or computer science Ph.D.s, can Read More ›

the-tower-of-babel-stockpack-adobe-stock
The Tower of Babel

“The Bigger the Toy, the Smarter You Ought to Be to Use It”

With great technological power comes great moral responsibility, said Peterson

The Canadian clinical psychologist and YouTube lecturer Jordan B. Peterson, who ascended to international fame upon the publication of his book 12 Rules for Life, has shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence, and has been speaking on the subject in his interviews with greater regularity. Here’s a short clip (ten minutes long) of Peterson lining out some of the ethical challenges with AI: “We’re primitive children on the ethical front with the tools of gods,” Peterson said, noting how in the last few decades, technological and scientific progress has far outpaced humanity’s ethical maturity. For Peterson, the more sophisticated and powerful the technology, the greater need there is for virtue, self-control, and good will in order to handle these tools Read More ›