Smart Girl Dumb Questions Godfather Part II: Is AI Alive?! with Dr. Geoffrey Hinton
Dec 9, 2025
Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, a Turing Award-winning pioneer in AI, delves into the intriguing question of whether AI is alive. He discusses concepts of consciousness and the potential for AI to become sentient, probing the implications of autonomy and emotional insight in machines. Hinton warns of AI misuse risks, such as job displacement and existential threats, while also advocating for designing AI systems that genuinely care for humanity. The conversation balances urgent safety warnings with the fascinating possibilities of human-AI collaboration.
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Copies Break Our Idea Of Self
- Digital AIs create identity puzzles because identical copies can exist simultaneously.
- Geoffrey Hinton argues our concepts of individuality break down when we build non-biological minds.
Confidence Without Clear Definitions
- People claim AIs aren't sentient with high confidence while lacking precise definitions.
- Hinton warns our uncertainty about consciousness makes dismissing AI sentience premature.
Built Minds Change Our Science
- Building AIs is like making ships that reveal the world's shape; new artifacts change our theories.
- Hinton says creating minds will fundamentally alter our understanding of what minds are.