What Technology Can (And Can't) Do | Rosalind Picard & Joshua Knobe
Jun 13, 2024
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Rosalind Picard, an MIT computer scientist renowned for her work in affective computing, and Joshua Knobe, a Yale philosopher with a focus on the philosophy of mind, dive deep into what it means to be human. They tackle the limitations of AI in replicating true emotions, explore the bond between humans and pets, and examine the ethical concerns surrounding emotional robots. This thought-provoking conversation challenges our understanding of agency, compassion, and the essence of humanity in the face of rapid technological advancement.
Despite advancements in AI attempting to replicate human-like behaviors, true emotional connections, particularly love, remain fundamentally elusive to machines.
The conversation emphasizes that key attributes like agency and experience are essential in defining humanity and resisting dehumanization.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Love and AI
Love is not a simple or basic emotion, and its complexity is increasingly studied in the context of artificial intelligence. While advancements in technology have led to attempts at programming robots to exhibit behaviors associated with love, such as listening and showing respect, true emotional connection remains elusive. The possibility of a future where robots can convincingly simulate love is acknowledged, but such interactions would differ fundamentally from human emotional experiences. This distinction raises questions about the essence of love and whether it can ever be genuinely replicated by machines.
Understanding Human Experience
The discussion highlights the significance of agency and experience in defining what it means to be human. Agency refers to an individual's capacity for decision-making and self-control, while experience encompasses the emotional depth that humans possess. These elements are crucial in recognizing humanity, and dehumanization often occurs when these aspects are ignored or diminished in others. For example, certain forms of prejudice can strip individuals of perceived agency, equating them to animals or machines, ultimately denying their full human experience.
The Special Sauce of Humanity
The concept of a 'special sauce' that distinguishes human beings from robots or animals is a central theme in the conversation. Both panelists agree that despite potential advancements in robotics, there remains an intrinsic quality or understanding in humans that machines cannot replicate. This 'special sauce' may include biochemistry, consciousness, and the unique experiences shaped by relationships and personal history. The discussion also touches on the philosophical implications of personhood and how faith, or lack thereof, shapes our perceptions of what it means to be human.
Advances in artificial intelligence and computing technology are happening at breakneck speed. Yet even the best A. I. today still falls short. Whether it's a frustratingly unhelpful chatbot, the uncanny valley of immersive virtual reality, or the nonsensical answers of ChatGPT.
Are these glitches a short-term problem? Or is there something about human experiences that make them impossible to program?
In today’s episode, a computer scientist and an experimental philosopher discuss just that. In this Forum event from 2013, you’ll hear from Rosalind Picard (MIT) and Joshua Knobe (Yale). In a conversation moderated by neuroscientist Nii Addy (Yale), Roz and Joshua attempt to define what it means to be human, discuss how agency and experience shape our view of others, and how we ought to fight against dehumanization.
Thank you to the forum planning team at Yale for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
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