Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagNobel Prize

nobel-peace-center-in-oslo-norway-stockpack-adobe-stock
Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway

When Science Points Beyond the Physical

The idea that science has somehow shown the irrelevance of the mind to explaining behavior is seriously confused. 
Any attempt to use science to discredit the existence of mental subjects is fatally flawed because the bedrock data for all science comes from observation. Read More ›
man-and-robotic-machine-work-together-inside-industrial-building-the-mechanical-arm-performs-welds-on-metal-components-assisted-by-a-worker-who-in-turn-manages-welds-manually-stockpack-adobe-stock
Man and robotic machine work together inside industrial building. The mechanical arm performs welds on metal components assisted by a worker who in turn manages welds manually.

A World Without Work? Here We Go Again

Large language models still can't replace critical thinking

On March 22, nearly 2,000 people signed an open letter drafted by the Future of Life Institute (FLI) calling for a pause of at least 6 months in the development of large language models (LLMs): Contemporary AI systems are now becoming human-competitive at general tasks, and we must ask ourselves: Should we let machines flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth? Should we automate away all the jobs, including the fulfilling ones? Should we develop nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart, obsolete and replace us? Should we risk loss of control of our civilization? FLI is a nonprofit organization concerned with the existential risks posed by artificial intelligence. Its president is Max Tegmark, an MIT professor who is no stranger to hype. Read More ›

alfred-nobel-prize-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Alfred Nobel Prize

Thinking Outside the Box Is Not a Disease

Enforced orthodoxy, often described euphemistically as “scientific consensus,” is an impediment to science

At the Skeptical Inquirer, we read about the“Nobel Disease,” whereby Nobel Prize-winning scientists ditch critical thinking and embrace unorthodox views. In reality, unorthodoxy helped them win the Prize.

Read More ›