Emily Bender

Prof. Emily Bender and Pablo Arredondo discuss the intelligence of generative AI systems like ChatGPT and their role in legal reasoning. The limitations of chatbots in language understanding and the concept of 'stochastic parrots' are explored. The challenges of AI systems in explaining reasoning and the debate on AGI funding and anthropomorphization are also discussed.

Emily Bender, a computational linguist at the University of Washington, argues that LLMs lack true understanding, underscoring the significance of meaning and context. In contrast, Sébastien Bubeck from OpenAI defends LLMs, pointing to their advancements in problem-solving and reasoning. They discuss the evolution of AI, the subjective nature of understanding, and the skepticism surrounding Artificial General Intelligence. Key explorations include the impact of LLMs on human interaction and the complex relationship between wealth, power, and technology.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Alex Hanna, a sociologist and director at the Distributed AI Research Institute, teams up with Dr. Emily Bender, a professor of linguistics at the University of Washington. They delve into the hype surrounding AI, questioning whether it's fueling inequality. The conversation takes on the complexities of AI terminology, warning against oversimplification that can obscure risks. They also tackle how biases in technology reinforce systemic issues and critique big tech’s influence over policy, urging a rethinking of the future we want.