The Nature of Understanding in AI and Humans

The discussion focuses on the fundamental question of whether artificial intelligences truly understand or respond merely through programmed patterns. A conversation reveals that human thought processes often mirror those of large language models (LLMs), suggesting both operate as black boxes producing non-deterministic outputs. This comparison raises the point that if humans are unable to pinpoint how their own thoughts form, it challenges the assertion that AIs lack real understanding. Ultimately, the speaker advocates that both human and AI understanding can be defined similarly as information processing toward fulfilling specific goals.