Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

Monthly Archive February 2019

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February 13, 2019
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Events
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The Human Advantage – An Eastside Symposium

Will Artificial Intelligence Supersede Human Intelligence?
News
February 13, 2019
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Events

Show Up | Enjoy a Free Brew | Join the Conversation Will Artificial Intelligence Supersede Human Intelligence? Avoid the hype and hone your understanding of the nature and future of AI. Join us as we converse with: Robert J. Marks, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University and Director of the Walter Bradley Center for Natural & Artificial Intelligence Jay Richards, analytic philosopher at Catholic University of America and author of the new book, The Human Advantage. Monday, March 116:30-9:00PM Location Christ Church112 Medina StreetAustin, TX Contact Annie Crawfordcrawfordal (at) hbu.edu Text “Human311” to 555888 to RSVP

Woman's hands typing on a pastel pink keyboard
Woman's hands typing on a pastel pink keyboard of retro laptop. Work and technology.
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Michael Egnor
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February 11, 2019
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Philosophy of Mind
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Could Your Computer Be Transgender?

A shift in basic philosophy can account for the new dogma that biological sex is a matter of culture and choice
Michael Egnor
February 11, 2019
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Philosophy of Mind
Nominalism is a philosophical dead end that does not reflect underlying reality. But it has permeated our culture. We are told that there are no categories; everything is infinitely plastic. Read More ›
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Stripes on two lane highway
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February 10, 2019
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Ethics, Machine Learning
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Can We Program Morality into a Self-Driving Car?

A software engineering professor tells us why that’s not a realistic goal
News
February 10, 2019
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Ethics, Machine Learning

Any discussion of the morality of the self-driving car should touch on the fact that the industry as a whole thrives on hype that skirts honesty.

Read More ›
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Two fighter planes, one older one newer
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Robert J. Marks
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February 8, 2019
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Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Social Factors
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STEM EDUCATION 3. Killing People and Breaking Things

Modern history suggests that military superiority driven by technology can be a key factor in deterring aggression and preventing mass fatalities
Robert J. Marks
February 8, 2019
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Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Social Factors
Today, better AI is the goal of the arms race. Russian President Vladimir Putin has prophesied: “Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere [AI] will become the ruler of the world.” Putin’s remarks apply to both economic and military dominance. Read More ›
3D technology background with code over male head
3D render of a technology background with code over male head
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Eric Holloway
Date
February 6, 2019
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Natural Intelligence
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The Brain Exceeds the Most Powerful Computers in Efficiency

Human thinking takes vastly less computational effort to arrive at the same conclusions.
Eric Holloway
February 6, 2019
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Natural Intelligence
All of the tasks that AI accomplishes require a certain amount of memory, computational power, and time. We have a good enough understanding of the human brain to measure the same quantities used for the same tasks. Thus, we can measure the difference between what minds and machines require to solve the same problem. Read More ›
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WROCLAW, POLAND - JANUARY 28, 2020: Physical version of Bitcoin (BTC), Trezor (cryptocurrency hardware wallet) and other cryptocurrencies background.
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Author
Jonathan Bartlett
Date
February 6, 2019
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Business and Finance, Ethics, Machine Learning
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Bitcoin: Is Lack of Trust the Biggest Security Threat?

It’s almost a parable: Everyone can see, no one can access, the millions trapped in the ether by a password known only to a dead man
Jonathan Bartlett
February 6, 2019
4
Business and Finance, Ethics, Machine Learning

Is this the future of currency? Seems like the Dark Ages to me. Bitcoin is a clever idea, but it is perhaps too clever for its own good.

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Toy Robot looking at itself in mirror
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Jay Richards
Date
February 5, 2019
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Machine Learning, Philosophy of Mind
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That Robot Is Not Self-Aware

The way the media cover AI, you'd almost think they had invented being hopelessly naïve
Jay Richards
February 5, 2019
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Machine Learning, Philosophy of Mind
If this is how The Telegraph reports on a robotic arm, can you imagine what it will sound like when we get humanoid robots who seem to carry on conversations? We had best inoculate ourselves now against AI hype from science reporters while most of us still have enough self-awareness to realize what’s going on. Read More ›
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Classified section of a newspaper
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Jonathan Bartlett
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February 4, 2019
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Machine Learning
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Part 2: Navigating the Machine Learning Landscape — Supervised Classifiers

Supervised classifiers can sort items like posts to a discussion group or medical images, using one of many algorithms developed for the purpose
Jonathan Bartlett
February 4, 2019
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Machine Learning
In Part 1 of our series, we looked at machine learning, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Now we’re going to dive a little deeper into how supervised learning works. Read More ›
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Close up of colorful silicon wafers
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Author
Robert J. Marks
Date
February 3, 2019
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Artificial Intelligence, Religion, Technocracy
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The Idol with Feet of Silicon

Religions based on artificial intelligence (AI) cannot transcend the limits of computers
Robert J. Marks
February 3, 2019
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Artificial Intelligence, Religion, Technocracy

Those proclaiming that exclusive truth lives totally in naturalism are constrained to a sadly narrow view of the world. Some naturalists have put their faith in AI and have founded the AI Church. They may think they are doing something new and cutting edge, but as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun (1:9).

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Yelling and screaming amidst colorful powder in the air
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Michael Egnor
Date
February 1, 2019
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Philosophy of Mind, Social Factors
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How the Internet Turns Coffee Klatches into Mobs

A philosopher sheds light on how the Covington high school kids became America's Most Hated
Michael Egnor
February 1, 2019
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Philosophy of Mind, Social Factors
The chaos and violence rising in our own country and around the world get much of their fuel from the obscurity and contagion of the internet, which is kerosene sprayed on the sparks tossed up by civilization. If we are to survive this conflagration, we must understand how these fires grow. Read More ›
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Worshippers or concert goers gaze at lighted diamond
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February 1, 2019
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Artificial Intelligence, Religion
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Tales of an Invented God

The most important characteristic of an AI cult is that its gods (Godbots?) will be created by the AI developers and not the other way around
News
February 1, 2019
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Artificial Intelligence, Religion

A book on the new pop science religion might well be titled “Tales of the Invented God.” Its author would likely be challenged to keep up with all the non-events breathlessly documented. After all, the technocrats who invent their future gods can change, re-envision, replace, upgrade, eliminate them at any time.

Read More ›