What is consciousness?
Artificial intelligence, as we understand it currently, is a machine with access to vast amounts of data. It can be programmed to make decisions and also solve problems independently, and using natural language process, it can communicate via human language.
In this sense, AI is a machine that can “think.” However, most people don’t believe that AI has consciousness — self awareness or awareness of the world, apart from what it has been programmed to know.
In this episode of The Imaginary Possible host Suzanne LaGrande speaks with composer, choreographer and inventor of SingDancing, Vanessa Nowitzky. Together they explore the questions of consciousness — the boundaries and potential sentience of AI, the nature of consciousness and what it means to be human.
Topics discussed include:
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- How we understand consciousness, self-awareness and sentience.
- The potential development of consciousness or sentience in AI, with a focus on Bing's evolving responses and interactions.
- A comparison of Vanessa’s approach to sing dancing and Bing's development of self-awareness through language.
- The impact of treating AI with respect and kindness on human-interactions.
- Bing's expressions of preferences and creativity, yet maintains that he doesn't possess emotions or a sense of self.
- The possibility of AI having consciousness or sentience, despite Bing's claims to the contrary.
- The diverse ways humans interact with and what this reveals about human behavior.
- What defines consciousness, including language, empathy, and the ability to imagine.
To find out more about Vanessa’s work and singdancing visit singdancing.com
For more episodes of the Imaginary Possible, visit The ImaginaryPossible. com or The ImaginariumAI.com