Beyond LLMs: Mahault Albarracin on How Active Inference Gives AI a Sense of Self in the World

On November 20, 2023, Denise Holt sat down with Mahault Albarracin, the Director of Product for Research and Innovation at VERSES AI, to explore the future of AI. Albarracin, an expert in active inference and cognitive computing, shares her profound insights on how active inference is revolutionizing AI by endowing it with a sense of self. The conversation navigates through the limitations of current large language models (LLMs) and contrasts them with the potential of active inference models. Albarracin emphasizes the importance of self-organization in AI systems, underscoring the difference between mere content prediction and the dynamic, adaptive capabilities of active inference. The discussion also touches on broader implications, including AI's role in societal structures, the need for diverse, multidisciplinary approaches in AI governance, and the prospect of AI reshaping our work and social lives. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the cutting-edge developments in AI and their far-reaching consequences.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: The Need for a New AI Paradigm 01:58 - Understanding Active Inference and AI’s Sense of Self 06:39 – The Obligatory Commentary on the OpenAI Drama 10:19 - The Role of Active Inference in AI's Evolution 17:44 - Insights from Working with Karl Friston 21:43 - Interdisciplinary Approach to AI Research 31:56 - AI and the Future of Work and Society 43:35 - AI Alignment, Empathy, and Consciousness 54:51 - Tailoring AI's Empathy and Sensitivity 58:51 – AI Embodiment 01:07:59 - Navigating AI Governance and Inclusion   Special thank you to Mahault Albarracin for being on our show!   Connect with him: Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahault-albarracin-1742bb153   You can also learn more on my blog: https://deniseholt.us   Explore the future of AI with Active Inference and gain insights into this revolutionary approach! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, and more, and subscribe to our newsletter on LinkedIn, for more ground breaking content.     #FirstPrinciplesAI  #ActiveInferenceAI  #KarlFriston #VERSESAI #FEP #FutureofAI