Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence (Crash Course): Difference between revisions
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::• consciousness (and self-consciousness) – can machines think? | ::• consciousness (and self-consciousness) – can machines think? | ||
::• the nature of human and animal intelligence | ::• the nature of human and animal intelligence – might machines be one day ''more'' intelligent? | ||
::• the relation between mind and body | ::• the relation between mind and body – might I, one day, be able to upload the contents of my brain and so live on, as an algorithm, in the cloud? | ||
::• the question of human identity – what would it be, that would ''live on''? | |||
:'''Day 1''' will begin with an introduction to how AI works. An AI application is a set of algorithms that can process information in a way that – in the typical case – partially emulates human behavior. Such algorithms presuppose in every case a certain model of the domain from which their input information is derived. We will explore how such models are built, dealing along the way with philosophical topics such as computability, explanation, and prediction. | :'''Day 1''' will begin with an introduction to how AI works. An AI application is a set of algorithms that can process information in a way that – in the typical case – partially emulates human behavior. Such algorithms presuppose in every case a certain model of the domain from which their input information is derived. We will explore how such models are built, dealing along the way with philosophical topics such as computability, explanation, and prediction. | ||
Revision as of 20:15, 10 March 2021
PHI598/498 Special Topics (1 Credit Hour)
Cross-listed with Computer Science and Engineering CSE 510/410
Schedule: Weekend of October 2-3, 2021
Faculty: Barry Smith and Jobst Landgrebe
Venue: UB North Campus (room TBD)
Course outline
- A range of traditional philosophical topics appear in a new light when addressed from the perspective of recent research in artificial intelligence.
- These include
- • consciousness (and self-consciousness) – can machines think?
- • the nature of human and animal intelligence – might machines be one day more intelligent?
- • the relation between mind and body – might I, one day, be able to upload the contents of my brain and so live on, as an algorithm, in the cloud?
- • the question of human identity – what would it be, that would live on?
- Day 1 will begin with an introduction to how AI works. An AI application is a set of algorithms that can process information in a way that – in the typical case – partially emulates human behavior. Such algorithms presuppose in every case a certain model of the domain from which their input information is derived. We will explore how such models are built, dealing along the way with philosophical topics such as computability, explanation, and prediction.
- For some domains, we can create models based on physical laws or simple rules. For most domains, however, the complexity of the relations involved prevents successful modeling. It is for this reason that we face difficulties when we try to predict, for example, who will win a football game or what will happen on the financial markets.
- Day 2 will use what we have learned on Day 1 to address the opportunities and limits of AI in modelling and emulating
- • consciousness and self-consciousness
- • human language understanding and conversations (including discussion of the Turing test and the Chinese room argument)
- • social behaviour and ethics
- • transhumanism, life extension, and digital immortality
- • automation systems for business, engineering, and consumer applications
- We will argue that AI will not bring cures for (most) deadly diseases, it will not replace human police with intelligent robots, and – except along certain narrow tracks, including game-playing and image recognition – it will not reach a level of intelligence that surpasses that of human beings.
Faculty
Jobst Landgrebe is a scientist and entrepreneur with a background in mathematics, neuroscience, neuroinformatics, and philosophy. Landgrebe is also the founder of Cognotekt, a German AI company which has since 2013 provided working systems used by companies in areas such as insurance claims management, real-estate management, and medical billing.
Barry Smith is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy with cross-appointments in the UB Departments of Biomedical Informatics, Computer Science and Engineering, and Neurology.
Background
Pre-requesites: This course is designed to be of interest to both philosophy and computer science and engineering students at both graduate and advanced undergraduate levels.
Grading: Grades will be assigned on the basis of class attendance and an essay on a topic to be selected by the student from the topics treated in the class.
