All Else Equal: Making Better Decisions Ep65 "Will Future AI Systems Operate Like The Human Brain? It’s Complicated” with Jeff Hawkins
Oct 1, 2025
Jeff Hawkins, a renowned neuroscientist and computer scientist, dives into the fascinating distinctions between human brains and AI systems. He explains how the brain functions as a predictive learning system, contrasting it with AI's rely on rigid data models. Hawkins introduces a new, brain-like AI approach that promises efficiencies and fewer errors. He discusses AI's potential societal impact, predicting it will augment rather than replace human jobs, while emphasizing the enduring value of uniquely human skills like creativity and adaptability.
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Brain As A Learning Memory System
- The brain is not a computer but a learning memory system that builds internal models of the world.
- Intelligence is using those learned models to predict and decide, not raw CPU-like computation.
Prediction Alone Isn't Convergence
- Brains and current AI both predict, but they differ fundamentally in inputs and embodiment.
- Brains learn through physical interaction while AI learns from detached text and images.
Treat AI As Evolving Toolsets
- Expect multiple AI technologies to coexist and evolve; today's models won't be the final form.
- Prepare for experimentation and learn strengths and limits rather than assuming full replacement.
