Book Summaries
Steven Pinker (What to think about machines that think)
Steven Pinker argues that reasoning is fundamentally computational, a view supported by the works of Alan Turing and others in neuroscience. This perspective demystifies the human mind, eliminating the need for spiritual or supernatural explanations.
Steven Pinker argues that reasoning is fundamentally computational, a view supported by the works of Alan Turing and others in neuroscience. This perspective demystifies the human mind, eliminating the need for spiritual or supernatural explanations. It also paves the way for artificial intelligence, although Pinker is skeptical that human-level AI will be achieved soon or that it poses an existential risk. He criticizes dystopian fears about AI as being rooted in anthropomorphic and gender-biased assumptions. Pinker is optimistic about the philosophical and practical benefits of AI, including the potential to explore the nature of consciousness. He dismisses fears of AI catastrophe as improbable, arguing that there will be ample time and inclination to implement safeguards.
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