"What Can Philosophy Tell Us?" — A Paradigm Shift in Computer Science?

The podcast explores the role of philosophy in understanding AI, particularly regarding intelligence and ethics. It questions the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI), suggesting that the concept of "general intelligence" may lack a defined goal, unlike specialized AI which solves specific problems. Tim Crane argues that the focus on creating conscious AI is misguided, advocating instead for addressing concrete ethical issues like privacy, deep fakes, and epistemic unreliability. The discussion touches on the history of AI's connection to philosophical ideas and the need for clear thinking about real-world AI problems rather than speculative scenarios. Panelists emphasize the importance of epistemology, language philosophy, and considering the broader societal impact and power dynamics within AI development.