Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagArtificial Intelligence

businessman-working-on-a-laptop-in-an-office-with-a-transpar-868800182-stockpack-adobe_stock
Businessman working on a laptop in an office, with a transparent overlay showing a modern cityscape of buildings and skyscrapers. Ideal for themes of technology, business, and urban life. Ai Generate.

AI Adoption is Slowing Amidst the “Biggest Gamble in Business History”

Workers and companies aren't buying the AI hype
In the case of AI, knowledge workers are trying to tell us something. They don’t like AI as much the top managers do, and their excitement is falling. Read More ›
a-robot-is-reading-a-book-in-a-church-the-robot-is-white-and-1075152240-stockpack-adobe_stock
A robot is reading a book in a church. The robot is white and has a book in its hand. The church is empty and the robot is standing in the middle of the room

Want to Talk to Jesus? Consult a Bot

Is AI changing the way people pray?
Whatever one’s views on Christ, a computer system can’t materialize his essence. Read More ›
wide-angle-shot-of-a-desolate-movie-set-at-dusk-old-western-817066301-stockpack-adobe_stock
'Wide angle shot of a desolate movie set at dusk, old Western style buildings and vintage film cameras'

Why Do We Have So Many Live-Action Remakes?

Whether a cartoon or live-action, what we really want is a good story

A couple of days ago, I chanced upon a trailer for the live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon. The original film, based on the book of the same name, premiered in 2010 and follows the heartfelt adventure story of a young Nordic lad, Hiccup, and his friendly dragon Toothless (who does, in fact, have teeth). The original movie got great reviews and remains one of my personal favorite animated films. It has memorable and funny characters, a good storyline, and is well animated. So why do we need a live-action version of the movie? A Loss of Originality Disney led the charge with its realistic remakes with live-action representations of Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, and Cinderella, Read More ›

iphone-stockpack-adobe-stock-630255133-stockpack-adobe_stock
iPhone

Report: Large Language Models Don’t “Think”

Also, Apple Intelligence might not be so intelligent after all

A research team at Apple is now sharing that “state-of-the-art” AI bots are failing basic arithmetic problems according to Los Angeles Times. Michael Hiltzik writes, The Apple team found “catastrophic performance drops” by those models when they tried to parse simple mathematical problems written in essay form. In this example, the systems tasked with the question often didn’t understand that the size of the kiwis have nothing to do with the number of kiwis Oliver has. Some, consequently, subtracted the five undersized kiwis from the total and answered “185.”  Human schoolchildren, the researchers posited, are much better at detecting the difference between relevant information and inconsequential curveballs. Apple has recently been rolling out tons of new advertisements promoting the iPhone Read More ›

futuristic-meeting-between-humans-and-a-robot-at-a-glowing-d-937000823-stockpack-adobe_stock
Futuristic meeting between humans and a robot at a glowing digital table symbolizing the collaboration between humanity and technology in decision making

John Stuart Mill: Humans Are Not Automatons

Making rational decisions takes a lot of thought and hard work, says Mill.
Mill uses a beautiful contrast in metaphor to show how human nature is qualitatively different from machines. Read More ›
man-using-laptop-for-searching-of-technology-smart-open-ai-o-704394220-stockpack-adobe_stock
man using laptop for searching of technology smart open AI or artificial intelligence using an artificial intelligence chatbot developed.

Exploring the Capabilities and Limitations of AI with Dr. Selmer Bringsjord

On this episode, host Pat Flynn begins a three-part conversation with Dr. Selmer Bringsjord about all things related to AI, consciousness, and rationality. Dr. Bringsjord has been studying and debating issues related to AI and the nature of consciousness for decades, and he shares his predictions about the capabilities and limitations of AI systems. He believes that while AI systems Read More ›

space-view-of-the-american-ian-hurricane-in-florida-state-of-534500337-stockpack-adobe_stock
space view of the American Ian hurricane in Florida state of United States showing the effects of climate change on cities of America. 3D illustration.

AI Social Media “Slop” Makes Lies Look Convincing

The AI slop machine holds graver consequences when the images reflect natural disasters
AI companies should be held accountable by being required to watermark their images. Read More ›
dynamic-cyber-big-data-flow-blockchain-networks-intersecting-799983387-stockpack-adobe_stock
Dynamic cyber big data flow: blockchain networks intersecting with ai technology and digital communication. Vibrant 3d illustration of music waves and science research

Hinton and Hopfield Win Nobel Prize in Physics

Hinton warns against neglecting AI safety

Geoffrey E. Hinton, a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence responsible for helping develop “neural networks,” has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize alongside John J. Hopfield. The two scientists won the award for their groundbreaking work in machine intelligence, paving the way for a revolutionary new way to use computers. Hinton attracted attention just last year when he departed from Google and started warning the public about the potential dangers of new AI systems. He likened the AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century, only this time, it won’t be our physical capacities that get trumped by the machine, but our intellects. The New York Times reports, “It will be comparable with the Industrial Revolution,” Read More ›

man-reading-in-the-park-stockpack-adobe-stock-82779404-stockpack-adobe_stock
Man reading in the park

Sam Altman Was on My Favorite Writing Podcast. His View on Storytelling Surprised Me.

When we read, we want to hear from a human about what it means to be human.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has garnered a fair share of criticism from the writing crowd for creating ChatGPT, a tool that on the surface seems to banish the need for human writers at all. However, Altman recently appeared on David Perell’s prominent writing podcast “How I Write” to talk about his own writing process, AI, and what he uses ChatGPT for. Altman and Perell talk about the importance of language for human communication, with Altman noting how he can’t imagine human life without language. AI, Altman says, is supposed to make language and the writing process “better.” In his view, that’s what computers have also sought to do: Create opportunities for humans to expand and deepen their capacities. But Read More ›

artificial-intelligence-chat-anthropomorphic-robot-artificia-565739304-stockpack-adobe_stock
Artificial intelligence chat, anthropomorphic robot artificial intelligence talking with human. Generative AI

AI-Generated Social Media? Looks Like It’s Already Here.

The only problem? You can't simulate community.
Do we need another app simulating human experience to solve the loneliness crisis? More simulation entails further disconnection. Read More ›
abstract-glass-molecules-floating-in-blue-fluid-background-w-614804630-stockpack-adobe_stock
Abstract glass molecules floating in blue fluid background with selective focus - environment, water or clean energy concept

No, the AI Bubble is Nothing Like the Dotcom Bubble

Don't listen to the tech bros on this one

Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computers, said recently on LinkedIn: “The skepticism around AI’s ROI today feels a lot like the doubts people had about the internet in its early days. Back then, no one could fully grasp how much the web would transform our lives, and now AI is on the same path. Yes, it might be tough to measure immediate returns, but if history teaches us anything, it’s that game-changing technologies take time to show their true impact. By embracing AI, we’re not just adopting a tool — we’re investing in a future where human potential gets a major boost, and new opportunities are unlocked. Just like the internet became the foundation of our digital world, AI has Read More ›

machine-learning-reaction-and-ai-artificial-intelligencechat-bot-software-networkbig-data-and-block-chain-systemneuralink-with-smart-braingenerative-art-images-stockpack-adobe-stock
Machine learning reaction and ai artificial intelligence.Chat bot software network.big data and block chain system.Neuralink with smart brain.generative art images

AI’s Boundaries and Human Creativity: A Conversation with Dr. Robert J. Marks

In this recent radio interview, prefaced by a brief introduction from Discovery Institute representative Dr. Tom Winkler, host Mark Davis speaks with Dr. Robert Marks, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Baylor University and director of the Discovery Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. Marks discusses his book Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Read More ›

illustration-of-ai-generating-unique-poetry-and-prose-generative-ai-in-literature-machine-learning-creative-writing-advanced-technology-digital-storytelling-stockpack-adobe-stock
Illustration of AI generating unique poetry and prose, generative AI in literature, machine learning, creative writing, advanced technology, digital storytelling

National Novel Writing Month Approves AI Writing

But what about most of the arts and culture community?
The pushback was swift and overwhelming negative. Read More ›
beethoven-monument-by-ernst-julius-hahnel-large-bronze-statue-of-ludwig-van-beethoven-unveiled-on-munsterplatz-in-1845-on-the-75th-composers-birth-aniversary-in-bonn-north-rhine-westphalia-germany-stockpack-adobe-stock
Beethoven Monument by Ernst Julius Hähnel, large bronze statue of Ludwig van Beethoven unveiled on Münsterplatz in 1845 on the 75th composer's birth aniversary in Bonn, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany

Will the Real Beethoven Please Stand Up?

AI images are starting to take over the internet
Whereas the original painting offers a nuanced revelation of the person, the AI image looks like a malcontented version of Mel Gibson. Read More ›
anthropomorphic-robot-in-human-court-neural-network-generated-art-ai-law-concept-digitally-generated-image-not-based-on-any-actual-person-scene-or-pattern-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
Anthropomorphic robot in human court, neural network generated art. AI law concept. Digitally generated image. Not based on any actual person, scene or pattern. Generative AI

Richard Stevens on All Things AI and Law

In this episode, lawyer and Mind Matters News contributor Richard W. Stevens is on the show to discuss the legal issues and challenges around copyright, fair use, and the use of copyrighted material by AI systems. They discuss the implications of a recent Supreme Court case, Warhol vs. Goldsmith, that tackles the legal concepts of “derivative work” and “transformative work.” Read More ›

books-in-colored-covers-swirl-on-a-blue-background-copy-space-stockpack-adobe-stock
books in colored covers swirl on a blue background, copy space

Antidote to Screen Addiction? A Good Book

Sitting and reading in silence is a pleasure the modern world has forgotten
We should let ourselves take pleasure in story first before jumping back on our phones to make comments on Booktok or Goodreads. Read More ›
closeup-financial-chart-with-uptrend-line-candlestick-graph-in-stock-market-on-blue-color-monitor-background-stockpack-adobe-stock
Closeup financial chart with uptrend line candlestick graph in stock market on blue color monitor background

AI Increased the Market Cap of the Magnificent Seven by $10 Trillion. Will it last?

AI is here to stay, just not in these insanely high share prices
Are the benefits from generative AI really hundreds of times higher than those from Microsoft Office? Read More ›
a-retro-video-games-arcade-fighting-machine-for-two-players-with-a-large-blank-screen-3d-render-illustration-stockpack-adobe-stock
A retro video games arcade fighting machine for two players, with a large blank screen. 3D render illustration.

A Weekend Watch: Paul Kingsnorth and Louise Perry

Who is technology serving?
What do we lose when we’re never quiet with our own thoughts, always checking our phones, always listening to Spotify or a podcast in the background? Read More ›
metaverse-and-kid-concept-child-using-virtual-reality-headset-in-space-adventure-game-stockpack-adobe-stock
Metaverse and kid concept, child using virtual reality headset in space adventure game

How to Rise Above Addictive Technologies to Find Real Freedom

On this episode, software engineer and author Doug Smith concludes his conversation with host Robert Marks about the false promises of technologies like VR (virtual reality) and AI. Smith and Marks discuss the Apple Vision Pro VR headset and the promotion of spirituality in its marketing. They explore the idea of AI spirituality and the belief in the singularity. The Read More ›

blue-car-drown-in-water-canal-extreme-accident-vehicle-sink-in-river-pound-lake-traffic-incident-stockpack-adobe-stock
Blue car drown in water canal. Extreme accident vehicle sink in river pound lake, traffic incident

Our Tech Use Crosses the Line When We Trust It Too Much

Don't be like Michael Scott and let AI drive your car into a lake
I've never driven my car into a lake screaming "the machine knows!" like Michael Scott did but the temptation to use technology like this loom in everyday life. Read More ›