4. Artificial Intelligence, Consciousness, and our Future

What is Artificial Intelligence? Where is it? What does it do? What does it mean for something to be intelligent? Can machines learn to think? Will AI become smarter than us? Should we be hopeful of the AI future? Will AI take over the world? Can we program a conscious AI? What will it mean for a robot to be conscious? Will that solve the mind-body problem? Will robots have human rights? Can AI systems act morally? Can we ultimately merge with AI? In this episode, we ponder these questions and more. We think that it is not just important but essential for students and people living in the current technological age to be aware of AI as it is around us all the time, From our youtube recommendations to Netflix series to Instagram's feed, acting as the invisible ruler. Though the future of AI can be rosy and hopeful, it can also pose a dire existential and economical threat to humanity. Therefore this podcast episode is our frugal attempt at carrying on the discussion of AI into our personal lives and intellectual lives. We hope you like it.