Nature of Intelligence, Ep. 1: What is Intelligence

from COMPLEXITY · host Santa Fe Institute

Guests: Alison Gopnik, SFI External Faculty; Professor of Psychology and Affiliate Professor of Philosophy at University of California, Berkeley; Member of Berkeley AI Research GroupJohn Krakauer, SFI External Faculty; John C. Malone Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins UniversityHosts: Abha Eli Phoboo & Melanie MitchellProducer: Katherine MoncurePodcast theme music by: Mitch MignanoPodcast logo by Nicholas GrahamFollow us on:Twitter • YouTube • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • BlueskyMore info:Complexity Explorer: Tutorial: Fundamentals of Machine LearningLecture: Artificial IntelligenceSFI programs: EducationBooks: Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans by Melanie MitchellWords, Thoughts and Theories by Alison Gopnik and Andrew N. MeltzoffThe Scientist in the Crib: Minds, Brains, and How Children Learn by Alison Gopnik, Andrew N. Meltzoff, and Patricia K. KuhlThe Philosophical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love, and the Meaning of Life by Alison GopnikThe Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison GopnikTalks: The Future of Artificial Intelligence by Melanie MitchellImitation Versus Innovation: What Children Can Do That Large Langauge Models’ Can’t by Alison GopnikThe Minds of Children by Alison GopnikWhat Understanding Adds to Cambrian Intelligence: A Taxonomy by John KrakauerPapers & Articles:“Why you can’t make a computer that feels pain,” by Daniel C. Dennett“Transmission versus truth, imitation versus innovation: What children can do that Large Language and Language-and-Vision models cannot (yet),” in Perspectives on Psychological Science (October 26, 2023), doi.org/10.1177/17456916231201401“Empowerment as Causal Learning, Causal Learning as Empowerment: A bridge between Bayesian causal hypothesis testing and reinforcement learning,” by Alison Gopnik“What can AI Learn from Human Exploration? Intrinsically-Motivated Humans and Agents in Open-World Exploration” by Yuqing Du et al, for Workshop: Agent Learning in Open-Endedness Workshop, NeurIPS 2024 conference“Two views on the cognitive brain,” by David L. Barack & John W. Krakauer, Perspectives in Nature Reviews Neuroscience Vol 22 (April 15, 2021)“The intelligent reflex,” by John W. Krakauer, Philosophical Psychology (May 23, 2019), doi.org/10.1080/09515089.2019.1607281“Representation in Cognitive Science by Nicholas Shea: But Is It Thinking? The Philosophy of Representation Meets Systems Neuroscience” by John W. Krakauer

NOW PLAYING

0:00 43:28

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Our Immune Systems Are Full of Ancient Weapons

May 12, 2026 ·29m

Introducing Drilled: Carbon Cowboys

May 12, 2026 ·27m

20 Facebook Ads Tips For Financial Advisors

May 11, 2026 ·22m

Here’s Why The US And China Struggle To Play Nice

May 8, 2026 ·10m

What Can We Gain by Losing Infinity?

May 5, 2026 ·30m

The End of Cold Prospecting: Three Proven Methods to Warm Up Prospects

May 4, 2026 ·24m

Similar Podcasts

CISO Perspectives (public) N2K Networks This season on CISO Perspectives, host Kim Jones explores some of the challenges of leading through uncertainty. We explore the complexity of the changing nature of regulation and working with the federal government, the evolution of privacy and fraud, and how emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing are changing cyber. When you don’t know what questions to ask, you’re afraid to ask, or don’t know who to ask, CISO Perspectives provides the foundation for learning in this brave new world. Product Management Stories Denny Klisch The complexity of Product Management can discourage young professionals and aspiring individuals from pursuing a career in the field. The purpose of this Podcast is to demystify the complexity of Product Management for young Product Managers or people who want to get into Product Management. The Podcast provides valuable insights into the journeys of successful Product Managers, which helps the audience understand the skills, tools, and techniques they need to develop to become successful Product Managers. Deeply Well with Devi Brown The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts Deeply Well Where higher consciousness meets the complexity of being human.Hosted by Well-Being Master Teacher and multi-disciplinary healer Devi Brown, Deeply Well is a soft place to land for those navigating the quiet, courageous work of becoming whole. Through soul-expanding conversations, guided meditations, and our signature Soul Work, each episode explores what it truly means to heal, to rewire, and to return—to your body, your truth, and your unique path. Created for the seekers, the sensitives, the creatives, and anyone reclaiming peace in a world that often overwhelms, Deeply Well invites you into presence, clarity, and self-mastery—one breath, one practice, one guest at a time.Devi Brown is the founder of Devi Brown Well-Being, former Chief Impact Officer at Chopra Global, and the author of Living in Wisdom and Crystal Bliss. Her work honors the sacred complexity of healing and guides you gently back to yourself—again and again. Comfort in the Workplace Braudis Frano Braudis Frano discusses the culture framework "Comfort in the Workplace". "Comfort in the Workplace" helps leaders establish a culture that enables teams to reach their potential.Braudis covers tools and topics related to the 13 tenets of Comfort in the Workplace - Respect for Team Members, Demand Excellence, Stewardship, Accountability, Consistent Communication, Remove Micromanagement, Simplify Complexity, Continuous Improvement, Proactive Action, Expect Success, Healthy Collaboration, Transparency, and Focus on the Important.Braudis interweaves stories based on his experience to help bring Comfort in the Workplace to life and ensure that you can develop your leadership and establish a high performing culture with your team.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of COMPLEXITY?

This episode is 43 minutes long.

When was this COMPLEXITY episode published?

This episode was published on September 25, 2024.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this COMPLEXITY episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!