Rolf Dobelli dismisses the widespread fear that artificial intelligence (AI) will pose a significant danger to humanity. He distinguishes between two types of AI development: Humanoid Thinking (AI that extends human thinking) and Alien Thinking (radically new AI thinking). Most AI today falls under Humanoid Thinking, designed to solve specific problems set by humans. These … Read more

Nicholas Humphrey discusses the concept of introspective access and how it distinguishes conscious agents like humans from machines. Introspective access refers to the ability to be aware of and communicate one’s thoughts and mental states. Humphrey highlights that while humans possess this capacity and can describe what’s happening in their minds, machines do not yet … Read more

Irene Pepperberg argues that machines excel at computation but lack true thinking abilities, particularly in terms of vision and creativity. Machines rely on algorithms and programs created by humans to solve complex problems, provide directions, or perform tasks efficiently. However, Pepperberg emphasizes that machines do not possess the capacity for vision in the sense of … Read more

W. Tecumseh Fitch argues that despite advances in computing power, current computers don’t possess true thinking abilities like organic minds. He introduces the concept of nano-intentionality, the ability of living cells to change their material form in response to their environment, which he claims is an essential feature of organic minds but absent in silicon-based … Read more

Daniel C. Dennett discusses the concept of the Singularity, where AI surpasses human intelligence. He argues that the Singularity, while an intriguing idea, distracts from a more immediate concern: the growing dependence on artificial agents that can’t truly think but are becoming integral to various aspects of our lives. Dennett highlights the increasing reliance on … Read more

Leo M. Chalupa discusses the concept of “thinking machines” and the limitations of current technology. He acknowledges that machines are excellent at processing vast amounts of data and making quick decisions, similar to some aspects of human thought. However, he argues that the term “thinking machine” is a misnomer because machines lack consciousness, self-awareness, and … Read more

David Gelernter argues that the concept of “machines that think” fundamentally misunderstands the nature of the mind and software. He uses the example of french fries to illustrate that certain physical states, like being happy, are not computable because they involve a physical object’s response to its environment. He asserts that computers and software can … Read more

Freeman Dyson dismisses the idea of machines that can think, stating that he doesn’t believe they currently exist or will exist in the near future. He argues that if he is wrong, his thoughts on the matter are inconsequential. Conversely, if he is correct, then the entire question of machines that can think becomes irrelevant … Read more

Emanuel Derman argues that machines can’t think because they are material objects designed to function in ways deemed useful by humans or animals. He references philosopher Stuart Hampshire’s interpretation of Spinoza, stating that one should not mix mental explanations for material phenomena, or vice versa. Derman maintains that as long as a machine’s behavior can … Read more

Keith Devlin argues that machines don’t think; they only appear to due to human programming. He distinguishes between decision-making and thinking, cautioning against attributing human-like intelligence to machines based on superficial cues. Devlin notes that humans are biologically wired to ascribe intelligent agency based on simple interactions, which can be misleading. He warns of the … Read more