The Thomistic Institute AI and the Human Person I Prof. Jordan Wales
Sep 1, 2025
Prof. Jordan Wales, an Associate Professor at Hillsdale College with expertise in theology and AI, dives into the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence and human personhood. He raises pivotal questions about redefining intelligence and the challenges AI poses to genuine human connection. Wales also shares insights on biases in AI, the emotional toll on tech workers, and how deep-rooted theological teachings can illuminate our understanding of empathy and identity. Moreover, he draws fascinating parallels between neural networks and music, underscoring the limitations of machines.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Intelligence Versus Consciousness
- Jordan Wales distinguishes intelligence (problem-solving) from consciousness (feeling) using Harari's framing.
- He warns that AI's problem-solving focus treats the world as material problems to be manipulated.
Penguin Robot Conference Win
- Wales recounts building a penguin robot that navigated a conference and served hors d'oeuvres to win a competition.
- The robot used brittle tricks like detecting legs and tie patterns rather than true social understanding.
Neural Networks Attune To Patterns
- Neural networks tune connections to attune to statistical patterns in input data rather than explicit rules.
- This attunement explains successes in vision and language where symbolic AI was brittle.
