Thomas Aquinas College Lectures & Talks What is Artificial Intelligence? The Mind and the Machine Episode 2
Dec 18, 2025
The discussion introduces the basics of artificial intelligence and its distinction from traditional programming. Key topics include the evolution from narrow AI to general AI and the rise of large language models (LLMs). Insights into how transformers enable machines to understand context are shared, along with a comparison of artificial neural networks to biological ones. The conversation wraps up with intriguing thoughts on training methods and the opacity of LLM decision-making, setting the stage for deeper philosophical exploration in future talks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Stay High-Level If You Are New
- For non-experts, focus on high-level ideas and don't get bogged in technical backpropagation details.
- Let complex terms flow over you and retain main concepts for philosophical discussion.
ML, DL, And Foundation Models
- Machine learning (ML) is the AI subfield that enables computers to imitate human learning by improving from data rather than manual reprogramming.
- Deep learning (DL) is ML that uses neural networks, and foundation models include LLMs like ChatGPT.
Treat AI Levels As A Continuum
- Use rough AI-level categories when discussing intelligence: ANI for narrow tasks, AGI for human-level generality, ASI for superhuman ability.
- Avoid insisting on precise boundaries; treat AI as a continuum for philosophical analysis.