1 Day 1: Can Computers Think Like Humans?: The Searle Chinese Room Thought Experiment 1 Day 1: Can Computers Think Like Humans?: The Searle Chinese Room Thought Experiment
Framing Question: Does AI development appear to be converging on something that resembles human thought?
1.1. “Minds, Brains, and Programs” by John Searle (Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1980)
Searle presents a thought experiment reflecting on fundamental semantic and philosophical differences between human minds and computational processes. Is it theoretically possible for a computer to “think” like a human being?
1.2. "The Chinese Room Argument" by David Cole (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Updated 2014)
Skim Section 5 (Remainder optional, but useful)
An entry from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy outlining the Chinese Room argument and several significant critiques it has faced. What are the key issues at stake in the debate surrounding the Chinese Room argument?
1.3. “Thinking Machines: The Search for Artificial Intelligence” by Jacob Roberts (Chemical Heritage Foundation, 2016)
This piece outlines key milestones and ideas in the development of AI technology. How have public perceptions of AI development diverged from its realities? Have such perceptions changed over time?
1.4. “How hackers can force AI to make dumb mistakes” by Ben Dickson (Daily Dot, 2018)
How does the existence of adversarial AI technologies such as those discussed here impact our understanding of the threats and promises of AI technology?