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The Veritas Forum

What Technology Can (And Can't) Do | Rosalind Picard & Joshua Knobe

Jun 13, 2024
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.
24:16

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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