Human And Artificial Intelligence: What Does It Mean To Think I Professor Daniel De Haan
Dec 11, 2023
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Daniel De Haan, Research Fellow in Natural Theology at the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion, discusses the distinctions between human and artificial intelligence, the role of AI in healthcare, the evolving role of AI and its potential conflicts with human interests, the impact of offloading popular media to AI, and the difference between human agency and artificial intelligence.
Understanding the distinctions between human and artificial intelligence can help navigate the role of AI in our lives.
Considering AI as a tool rather than a creature allows for responsibility and control over its use and impact on human flourishing.
AI's impact on intellectual development and virtues raises questions about education, decision-making, justice, and the need for responsible use and critical reflection in utilizing these tools.
Deep dives
Distinguishing Human and Artificial Intelligence
This podcast episode explores the distinctions between human and artificial intelligence. The speaker acknowledges that a detailed comparison between the two requires expertise in programming and computing, but emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the place of artificial intelligence in human lives regardless of one's technical knowledge. Some major differences mentioned include how artificial intelligence operates through associative thinking, while human intelligence also encompasses insight and reasoning. The speaker suggests that understanding and appreciating these distinctions can help us navigate the role of artificial intelligence in our lives.
Artificial Intelligence as a Tool
The episode discusses the perspective of considering artificial intelligence as a tool rather than a creature or autonomous force. Drawing on the work of Jaron Lanier, the speaker points out that AI is an artifact, created by humans for specific intentions and goals. By recognizing AI as a tool, we can maintain a sense of responsibility and control over how we use and interact with it. This perspective encourages understanding AI's role in human flourishing and ponders the ethical considerations of AI's influence on various aspects of society, such as education and decision-making.
AI's Impact on Intellectual Development and Virtues
The episode reflects on the potential impact of AI on intellectual development and the cultivation of virtues. It discusses the concern of how AI tools, particularly language-generating models like chat GPT, may impact education by promoting compliancy and hinder the cultivation of intellectual virtues such as insight, systematic thinking, and wisdom. Additionally, the episode explores how the misuse of AI systems can undermine virtues like practical wisdom, justice, fortitude, and temperance. It raises questions about the role of AI in decision-making, justice, and the need for self-control and critical reflection in utilizing these tools. The speaker advocates for responsible use of AI that aligns with human flourishing and supports the development of virtues.
The Role of AI in Common Goods and Justice
AI has the potential to impact common goods and justice, raising concerns about decision-making, privacy, and job transformation. Deploying AI without adequate checks and balances can compromise our aspirations for cardinal virtues. The lack of shared deliberation and democratic process in implementing AI tools may lead to the imposition of AI by transnational corporations, undermining solidarity and common visions. The transformation of jobs by AI also raises questions about justice and the need for a more democratic approach to such changes.
AI and Human Creativity
AI demonstrates the power of association in human creativity but lacks the insight and normativity present in human thinking. While AI can generate creative content such as music and images, it is limited to imitating prior patterns rather than pursuing goals or experiencing intentions. The reliance on AI could result in the overconsumption of artificial creativity, hindering human aspiration towards disciplined creative pursuits such as storytelling and craftsmanship.
This lecture was given on November 15th, 2023 at Saint Louis University.
For more information on upcoming events, visit thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events.
About the Speaker:
Daniel De Haan is a Research Fellow in Natural Theology at the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion and the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Oxford. Before coming to Oxford he was a postdoctoral fellow working on the neuroscience strand of the Templeton World Charity Foundation’s Theology, Philosophy of Religion, and the Sciences project at the University of Cambridge. He has a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of Leuven and University of St Thomas in Texas. His research focuses on philosophical anthropology and the sciences, natural theology, and the thought of Thomas Aquinas.
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