NBN Book of the Day Max Bennett, "A Brief History of Intelligence: Evolution, Ai, and the Five Breakthroughs That Made Our Brains" (Mariner Books, 2023)
Apr 1, 2024
Max Bennett, an AI entrepreneur and neuroscientist, discusses the evolution of nervous systems from tiny worms to human brains and the quest to create more intelligent systems. The podcast explores the correlation between animal capabilities and AI, breakthroughs in associative learning, and the interplay of fast and slow thinking in decision-making. It also delves into the structural unity of the neocortex and the evolution of mentalizing in primates for complex social interactions.
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Blue Corp's AI-Driven Marketing
- Max Bennett's first AI company, Blue Corp, personalized marketing for large brands.
- They used machine learning to predict customer product interest and optimize bundling, like advanced Amazon recommendations.
Moravec's Paradox
- AI excels in certain areas like complex calculations but falls short in others, like common sense reasoning.
- This contrast, known as Moravec's Paradox, sparked Bennett's interest in the unique capabilities of the human brain.
Marr's Levels of Analysis
- Marr's three levels of analysis help understand intellectual tasks: computation, algorithm, and implementation.
- Bennett focuses on the algorithmic level, seeking mathematical principles applicable to AI.