Google DeepMind: The Podcast
Consciousness, Reasoning and the Philosophy of AI with Murray Shanahan
Apr 24, 2025
Join Murray Shanahan, Professor of Cognitive Robotics at Imperial College London and a principal scientist at Google DeepMind, as he explores the philosophical depths of AI. He discusses the limitations of the Turing Test, introducing the 'Garland test' for consciousness. Murray sheds light on the influence of films like 'Ex Machina' on public perception of AI. He also delves into the evolution of AI reasoning, contrasting symbolic methods with modern approaches, and questions the ethical implications of consciousness and suffering in artificial entities.
40:30
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Quick takeaways
- The philosophical implications of AI challenge traditional notions of consciousness and self-identity, prompting a reevaluation of what it means to be aware.
- Murray Shanahan advocates for a nuanced assessment of AI capabilities through concepts like the 'Garland Test', distinguishing between intelligence and true consciousness.
Deep dives
Philosophical Implications of AI
AI raises numerous philosophical questions related to the nature of intelligence and consciousness. As technology evolves, traditional philosophical inquiries about self-identity and metacognition can now be examined through the lens of AI capabilities. Creators and thinkers, including Murray Shanahan, emphasize that these age-old philosophical debates are becoming more relevant as AI systems exhibit human-like interactions and behaviors. The discussion opens up pathways to explore what it means to be conscious and how AI, while not biologically alive, can still provoke significant reflections on the essence of thought and awareness.
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