As one would imagine you learn a lot in an MA, mine was on Philosophy and AI. But no matter how much research you do beforehand, reading over the summer list or reviewing the syllabus you never fully know what the course will entail.

I've learned more about what it means to be human by studying AI, specifically the philosophy and ethics of AI. This blog teases this idea.

Initial thought:

Machines lack nuance and community, the ability to decipher (golden mean), they do not have the intuition or skills needed to adjust in context-dependent situations.

Our community and social networks allow for cultural understanding and connection to others, where we play a distinct role that is uniquely understood and flexible depending on who we interact with.

I am both a sister, student, daughter partner, friend, researcher, musician, etc.

The multifaceted purpose of a human is seen in that we don't do or are just one thing.

Yes, we may consider ourselves programmed to a certain degree (culturally and socially), one may say all creations are inspired by plagiarism, based on pre-existing frameworks. The 'update' is our own subjective experience.

Comparison: defining through negation

AI

• can be copied, many of one thing

• speed, ability to process data

• no social code, connection to others

• lack of mobility

• no human error

• fewer and more specific roles/assignments

• watts of energy of a computer = 2, while a human = 25 watts

• result of many minds

Humans

• death

• rational thought (think, review, act)

• needs: sleep and food

• ability to learn from the past

• agile, speed of adjustments and adaptations

• have key bodily constraints

• learning through experience, which we all perceive differently

Both

• made by humans

tbc.