Roger Schank asserts that the idea of machines thinking and the need to worry, regulate, or grant them civil rights is unfounded. He discusses two predominant approaches to AI: one that mimics human behavior and one that relies on fast statistics-based computing. He argues that neither approach will lead to machines creating a new society. … Read more

Donald D. Hoffman explores the potential ways in which artificial intelligences (AIs) might think, feel, and evolve, drawing from the diversity of natural intelligences found in the biological world. He highlights the following key points: 1.   Variety of Intelligence  : Hoffman suggests that AIs could exhibit a wide range of thinking and feeling capabilities, much … Read more

Nick Bostrom addresses the topic of machines that think and the implications of superintelligence in his article: 1. Complexity of the Topic: Bostrom expresses the opinion that discussions about machines that think are often oversimplified or tied to science fiction clichés. He highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the topic, particularly in … Read more

Frank Wilczek discusses various aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) in his article: 1. Emergence of Consciousness: Wilczek mentions Francis Crick’s idea that consciousness is an emergent property of matter, implying that all intelligence, whether natural or artificial, is essentially machine intelligence. The distinction lies in how it’s created. He highlights the blurring of boundaries between … Read more

Carlo Rovelli addresses the confusion surrounding thinking machines by distinguishing between two questions. Question 1: How close are machines we’ve built or will build to thinking like humans? Rovelli emphasizes the vast gap in performance, structure, and function between our best computers and a child’s brain. He suggests that discussions about dealing with thinking machines … Read more

Seth Lloyd discusses the concept of e-spying and data mining by large tech companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. He highlights the significant computational power devoted to collecting and analyzing personal data, totaling about an exaflop, which is equivalent to the combined computing power of the world’s 500 most powerful supercomputers. Lloyd explains that … Read more

Terrence J. Sejnowski discusses the advancements in deep learning and their impact on machine learning. Deep learning has evolved significantly over the past few decades, thanks to increased computer power and large datasets from the internet. Deep neural networks with multiple layers have proven effective in tasks like object recognition and speech recognition, revolutionizing these … Read more

Rodney A. Brooks discusses the complexity and nuances of the terms “think” and “intelligence,” which are often used to discuss machines and their capabilities. These terms encompass various aspects, mechanisms, and levels of understanding, making it challenging to answer questions like, “Can machines think?” or predict when machines will reach human-level intelligence. Brooks provides examples, … Read more

James J. O’Donnell reflects on the diverse ways in which the term “thinking” is used in human language, ranging from mundane decisions to complex introspections and emotions. He questions whether machines can experience confusion, cognitive dissonance, dreaming, wonder, forgetfulness, self-esteem, or other human-like mental states. O’Donnell believes that such characteristics are beyond the capabilities of … Read more

Cesar Hidalgo challenges the notion of machines that “think” and argues that thinking involves processing information within a larger context, not just the individual level. He introduces the concept of “little thinking,” which occurs at the individual level and is context-dependent. In contrast, “large thinking” involves processing information within systems where units like machines or … Read more