Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

TagRobert J. Marks

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Silhouette of Ancient Greek Galley Ship at Sunset, Majestic Ocean Scene

The Ship of Theseus: The Mystery of Personal Identity

If all your parts are slowly replaced, in what sense are you still you? A Mind Matters podcast discussion explores that
Walter Myers, an engineer and philosopher, sees the human soul as soul is what ultimately grounds human identity in something more than matter. Read More ›
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Shot of Corridor in Working Data Center Full of Rack Servers and Supercomputers with Cloud Storage Advantages Icon Visualisation.

The Cloud: Why It Is More Reliable Than It Sounds At First

Walter Myers III assures us that the data cloud is designed with failure in mind. Encryption and redundancy are backbones of digital storage security
Perhaps the most common myth Myers wants to bust is the idea that someone else can access your data in the cloud. Only you — and those you authorize — can. Read More ›
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Thoughtful female blogger looking away and feeling pondering on ideas for new article at own web page, pensive woman sitting in cafeteria with textbook in hand and thinking about plan for future trip

How a Neurosurgeon Showed That Abstract Thought Is Immaterial

Wilder Penfield, one of the first neurosurgeons to split human brains in half to relieve epilepsy, found much more than a treatment
Of his 55,000 brain stimulations that “activated complex networks,” not one generated abstract thought — implying that it is not a “product” of the brain. Read More ›
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Overhead of colleagues having a marketing meeting in modern office. Above a busy workplace, coworkers brainstorm and develop strategies for a startup business, unity, planning and innovation at work

How to Build an AI Company: Advice from a Seasoned Entrepreneur

In the podcast, Copps emphasized the necessity of remaining flexible and open to change: “Don’t be married to your idea.”
Marks, the podcast host, added an essential perspective on networking, stressing the value of facing fears and engaging with influential figures. Read More ›
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AI developer working on data models, surrounded by data visualizations

Perspectives of a Different Kind of AI Entrepreneur

How can entrepreneurs incorporate the benefits of AI while maintaining their dedication to serving fellow human beings? On this episode of Mind Matters News, host Robert J. Marks welcomes David Copps, a renowned entrepreneur, technologist, and thought leader with over two decades of experience pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. He’s the founder and CEO of a Read More ›

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Artificial intelligence and mind backdrop

The Human Mind’s Sophisticated Algorithm and Its Implications

Winston Ewert argues that if some human cognition is algorithmic, that fact does not necessarily support a purely naturalistic view of intelligence
Ewert also notes that recognizing human cognition as, in part, an algorithm raises deeper questions about the origin and sophistication of that algorithm. Read More ›
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Determined Handsome Doctor Uses Digital Tablet Computer while Walking Through Hospital Hallway. Modern Bright Clinic with Professional Staff.

Joe McDonald: How AI Can Complement Human Capabilities

Despite its limitations, AI excels in areas where humans struggle, such as analyzing large datasets, identifying patterns, and automating repetitive tasks
Dr. McDonald emphasized that AI is best used as a tool to enhance human abilities, not replace them. Read More ›
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Steine im See bei Sonnenuntergang

Beyond the Physical: Exploring the Nature of the Mind

A recent podcast panel challenged the prevailing materialist assumptions about the mind and explored better accounts of the richness of human consciousness
Minding the Brain, to which the panelists contributed, challenges skeptical readers to move beyond physicalism, which is not producing useful results. Read More ›
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generative ai overview for project managers fund invetment and data analysis.

Why Generative AI Will Not End Up Running the World

Business prof Gary Smith and computer engineering prof Robert J. Marks talk about what we should and shouldn't believe about claims that computers taking over
Smith urged caution in applying AI to high-stakes decisions. For critical areas like finance, law, and medicine, reliance on AI remains risky. Read More ›
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Translucent soap bubbles floating with natural green backdrop

The AI Bubble: Hype, Reality, and Consequences

In this week's podcast, Pomona College economics prof Gary Smith discusses with Robert J. Marks what generative AI is and isn't good for
AI can be a helpful tool when used appropriately but, he warns, the current AI boom mirrors past economic bubbles, driven by hype and inflated expectations. Read More ›
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Telecommunication tower during sunset with HUD graphical internet worldwide connectivity of 3G, 4G and 5G network. Technology concept. Antenna, microwave, repeater, base station. Mobile communications

The Radio Frequency Spectrum: A Finite Natural Resource

The increasing demand for the radio frequency spectrum that our wireless technologies depend on is unsustainable long-term
While spectrum "auctions" generate significant revenue, they raise concerns about fairness, as the big players outbid others, potentially stifling innovation. Read More ›
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Big ideas. Illuminated light bulb among the rest of the unlit bulbs.

Only in America

My discussion on this week’s podcast with Major General Bobby Hollingsworth (ret.) prompts a look at some of the many people that America has freed to be their best
Despite our different faiths, my Muslim colleague Mohamed El-Sharkawi was a steadfast ally and when his mosque was defaced post 9-11, Christians protected it. Read More ›
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military aircraft fighters in the sky

Talking to Marine Corps Fighter Pilot, Bobby Hollingsworth (Ret.)

Hollingsworth does not shy away from critiquing the current state of U.S. military leadership and preparedness
Reflecting on recent events, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, he highlights the strategic missteps that have undermined the military’s effectiveness. Read More ›
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A person uses touch screen technology in everyday life. AI Generated. Suitable for advertising.

Flashes of Genius: Hal Philipp’s Journey of Invention, Resilience

His groundbreaking work on optical sensors for automated doors and faucets laid the foundation for his career
Reflecting on his 100-hour workweeks and legal battles, he cautions against solo ventures without financial and legal backing. Read More ›
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Manhole drain cover on streets of lower Manhattan

Microsoft: What Did You Need To Work There in the Early Days?

They asked questions that were not about the details of computer technology. The questions made you think. Hard.
For example. they would ask questions like, why are manhole covers round? Read More ›
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Inside the brain. Concept of neurons and nervous system.

Mirror Neurons and Consciousness: A Philosophical Perspective

Dr. Miretu Guta criticized the overblown claims about mirror neurons

In the most recent episode of the Mind Matters News podcast, hosts Brian Krouse and Robert J. Marks chatted with philosopher Dr. Mihretu Guta about the role of mirror neurons in understanding consciousness. Dr. Guta’s chapter in the book Minding the Brain critiques the popular interpretation of these specialized brain cells, which activate both when performing an action and observing others perform it. Mirror neurons, discovered in macaque monkeys, have been linked to empathy, learning, and imitation. However, Dr. Guta emphasized the distinction between correlation and causation. While these neurons activate during certain behaviors, this does not prove they cause those behaviors. He also noted the limits of extending findings from monkey studies to human cognition. Dr. Guta introduced three Read More ›

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image that represents the concept of expanded psychedelic consciousness

The Unique Relationship Between Consciousness and Its Bearer

What kind of being must exist for consciousness to exist? On this episode, hosts Robert J. Marks and Angus Menuge conclude their discussion with Dr. Mihretu Guta about his contribution to the recent volume Minding the Brain. The first half of this conversation centered on the amazing nature of consciousness and how it really doesn’t reduce to anything physical. In Part Read More ›

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Smart robotic farmers concept, robot farmers, Agriculture technology, Farm automation.

Computer Prof: Handing Off Risky Operations to AI Would Be Stupid

When everything went wrong in Space Odyssey 2001, the cause was faulty programming, not the computer deciding to take over, he says.
When everything went wrong in Space Odyssey 2001, the cause was faulty programming, not the computer deciding to take over, he says. Read More ›
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Chatbot assistant, Ai Artificial Intelligence

Computer ‘Creativity’ Is Simply Digital Plagiarism

One outcome is many lawsuits against generative AI companies whose programs snatch and use copyrighted material
As radio host Mark Davis put it recently, “ultimately everything AI does is go in search of something that some human being said or wrote sometime.” Read More ›
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Psychology of self-development. mind power control. human brain

Dr. Robert J. Marks Reads From Minding the Brain

Is your mind the same thing as your brain? Or are there aspects of mind that are external to the biology of the brain? This is the mind-body problem, and it has captivated curious minds since the dawn of human contemplation. Today many insist that the mind is completely reducible to the brain. But is that claim justified? On this Read More ›