Issues on Artificial Intelligence

Author: Diogo Terroso
Degree: Master of Arts - Communication Design (Multimedia)
University: Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design - University of the Arts London

"Perhaps the greatest significance of the computer lies in the impact on man’s view of himself...his picture of the universe and his place and goals in it" - Boden

With Galileo´s discovery of the earth movement around the sun and Darwin’s discovery of the connections of humans to other species, humanity’s ego has suffered a blow.
The last rampart of pride is that at least we possess something magical in our capacity to think. If AI were to be successful in providing entities capable of thought, we could witness a further blow to our ego.
The difference lies in whether computers can simulate rather than just imitate intelligence, which depends on whether the processes that produce the intelligence are themselves mechanical (computational).

Are humans essentially different from machines?
Can machines fit into existing concepts of what it is to be human?
What is the difference between imitating and simulating the human brain?
Is there humanlike behaviour without consciousness?

1. What is AI? What are we afraid of?
2. Small History of AI
2.1 Consciousness, the self, identity
2.2 "Can a machine think?" - Our brain is a special purpose computer
3. Current approaches to AI
3.1 Exponential evolution
3.2 Intelligence Architecture vs. Software of intelligence
4. Future concerns regarding AI
4.1 "Will it be conscious? " - Artificial Consciousness
4.2 Social and psychological consequences

(complete report available as pdf)