012 - The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence

The central propulsion of Portals of Perception is an inquiry about how we humans evolve with our consciousness and perception, and where and how the future emerges. In this conversation, we are seeking to understand and appreciate how the nature of human experience and perception interrelates with technology.  In other words, how our natural human capabilities and cognition correspond with and shape and then are influenced by the technologies we build and how these cross-pollinate and influence each other. Some researchers see in the advance of technology unlimited potential; others see a danger in its expanding influence. Join Aviv Shahar and Dr. Alan Litchfield and Wai (Albert) Yeap, two global researchers on the leading edge of technology development, as they explore the evolution of artificial intelligence and its implications for the evolution of humanity. KEY TAKEAWAYS 02:26 – Albert Yeap and Dr. Alan Litchfield join the show to discuss today’s fascinating topic: The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence  07:58 – The relationship between humans and technology  10:36 – Albert breaks down the origin story of computability and the birth of Artificial Intelligence  18:06 – Dr. Alan provides his thoughts on the evolution of technology in society  23:14 – An inflection point in technology  31:34 – The repercussions of replicating humanity in machines  39:30 – Dr. Alan and Albert dissect unintentional consequences of A.I.  48:51 – The mystery of learning  1:02:53 – Relativity  1:13:19 – Aviv poses three overarching inquiries pertaining to Artificial Intelligence  1:17:16 – Dr. Alan and Albert leave the conversation with one final thought  TWEETABLE QUOTES “People consider that technology is something which is separate from the person themselves. My view on this is that, actually, technology is a representation of our current state of mind. Technology has often followed what we have been doing or considering, and you see this as an example in the lead up to the Industrial Revolution. What we are now seeing is that technology has become a trigger for change, personally and socially.” (08:17) (Dr. Alan)“The notion of computability really led us to understand what can be computed and what cannot be computed by computers. And incredibly curious minds of those days, especially Alan Turing, had discovered that notion of computability and asked the questions, ‘Could a machine be intelligent? And can we test that machine to be intelligent?’ From then on, the birth of the notion of A.I. emerged without us knowing.” (10:57) (Albert)“We had an existence there where people constructed objects and artifacts according to input often that was socially mediated. So, you would have, for example, an artisan who was taught to be a carpenter by their father, or a weaver or whatever it may be. The function doesn’t matter. What matters here is that they came from a long line of previous artisans and they grew into a cultural construct that was built around that identity.” (20:35) (Dr. Alan)“So, we have this problem where we don’t know how to make the shift in technology yet so that it better reflects the contents and intent of people collectively and individually. And that’s where we are now.” (22:47) (Dr. Alan)“The trouble is this. Did we intend to create this thing? No, we didn’t intend. But we keep creating these things, which means that these machines will be more and more powerful and they will, I believe, one day take over the world.” (37:13) (Albert)“In order for you to create a new cultural landscape, you have to dismember what already exists. In order for people to shift themselves out of a culture and into a new one, you have to break what already exists.” (1:09:01) (Dr. Alan) RESOURCES MENTIONED Portals of Perception WebsiteAviv’s LinkedIn Aviv’s TwitterAviv’s Website