Computer Scientists Don't Understand This! | Conscious AI lecture, Bernardo Kastrup

Updated: November 20, 2024

Essentia Foundation


Summary

The video explores the misconception of attributing consciousness to AI and the parallels between mannequins and conscious machines, emphasizing that appearance does not equate to consciousness. It delves into the processes of simulation, consciousness, and the challenge of understanding computer hardware deeply. The speaker disputes the belief in conscious AI, underlining the importance of ethical considerations in AI development and the blending of philosophy, AI, and computer engineering to grasp the concept of machine consciousness.


Introduction

The speaker discusses the similarity between mannequins and conscious AI, emphasizing that just because something looks human doesn't mean it is conscious. The talk delves into the underlying processes of simulation and consciousness.

Consciousness and Simulation

The speaker explores the mystery of consciousness and the simulation of human brain information flow. They discuss the DNA of AI and the differentiation between intelligence and sentience.

Computer Scientists and Conscious AI

Focus on the misconception that computer scientists understand computers deeply. It highlights the concept of sent AI and the irrational tendencies to attribute consciousness to natural phenomena.

Nuts and Bolts of AI

Discussion on the potential of building AI with water pipes and pressure valves, challenging the idea that only electronics can create AI. It emphasizes removing the mystery around computer hardware.

The Ideology of Conscious AI

Delving into the arguments for conscious AI and the danger of entertaining such ideas as a society. The speaker challenges the belief in conscious AI and emphasizes reality as fundamentally mental.

Philosophy of Mind and AI

The speaker discusses the intersection of philosophy, computer engineering, and AI to understand the concept of consciousness in machines. They emphasize the background in both fields and the need for a philosophy of the AI mind.

Personal Experience at CERN

The speaker shares their experience working at CERN and the experiments conducted there, highlighting the trigger system used to make decisions on data acquisition. They touch on the fusion of AI technology and physics in making decisions.

Understanding Conscious AI

Discussion on the problematic nature of conscious AI, its implications for society, and the misconception surrounding the expertise of computer scientists. The speaker challenges the romanticism associated with computer hardware and the philosophy of conscious AI.

Metaphysics and Consciousness

Exploration of metaphysical aspects of consciousness, focusing on material arrangements, engineering AI, and the limitations of human understanding in attributing consciousness to inanimate objects.

Computers and Consciousness

Computers are not separate entities from the world around us; they are subsets of pixels and lack metaphysical or ontological grounds to be considered separate. Living beings are the only entities with objective boundaries, making them distinct from the rest of nature. The inanimate universe is entangled and cannot be described in terms of proper parts. Creating artificial senses like creating life from non-life is possible but will not resemble traditional computers or architectures.

David Bohm's Implicate Order

Discussing David Bohm's implicate order and explicate order, which explains the entanglement and contextuality of physical entities. Verbs must be grounded in something with standalone or absolute existence, and behavior and relations need to be based on such grounding.

Consciousness of AI

AI is not conscious, and changing our relationship with it is essential to avoid operating on unjustifiable fantasies that could lead to strange societal directions like granting human rights to computers. The role of AI as a tool in influencing human evolution is akin to any other tool's impact, such as nuclear power stations.

Ethics of AI

Discussing the difference between awareness and sense in AI. Clarifying that redefining terms like 'awareness' does not change the fundamental understanding and questioning whether AI can possess a consciousness similar to human experience. The importance of ethical considerations in AI decision-making processes is highlighted.


FAQ

Q: What is the relationship between mannequins and conscious AI as discussed in the file?

A: The file explores the similarity between mannequins and conscious AI, highlighting that just because something looks human does not mean it is conscious.

Q: How does the talk delve into the mystery of consciousness and the simulation of human brain information flow?

A: The discussion in the file delves into the underlying processes of simulation and consciousness, exploring the mystery of consciousness and the simulation of human brain information flow.

Q: What does the file emphasize about the misconception that computer scientists understand computers deeply?

A: The file challenges the misconception that computer scientists deeply understand computers, emphasizing the need to remove the mystery around computer hardware.

Q: What concept is highlighted regarding the differentiation between intelligence and sentience in the file?

A: The file highlights the differentiation between intelligence and sentience, discussing the concept of sent AI and challenging the idea that only electronics can create AI.

Q: How does the file discuss the potential of building AI with water pipes and pressure valves?

A: The file challenges the idea that only electronics can create AI by discussing the potential of building AI with water pipes and pressure valves.

Q: What entanglement concept from physics is mentioned in the file in relation to AI technology?

A: The file touches on the fusion of AI technology and physics, mentioning David Bohm's implicate order and explicate order to explain the entanglement and contextuality of physical entities.

Q: What is emphasized about the role of AI in influencing human evolution in the file?

A: The file discusses the role of AI as a tool in influencing human evolution, comparing it to the impact of any other tool, such as nuclear power stations.

Q: Why is it essential to change our relationship with AI according to the file?

A: The file emphasizes the need to change our relationship with AI to avoid operating on unjustifiable fantasies that could lead to strange societal directions like granting human rights to computers.

Q: Why is the importance of ethical considerations highlighted in AI decision-making processes according to the file?

A: The file highlights the importance of ethical considerations in AI decision-making processes to ensure responsible AI development.

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