David Anthony Oliver Reflections
The Problem with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Knowing vs Understanding: AI vs intelligence
This crucial new post goes more deeply into my previous post, “Why AI is actually stupid,” https://davidanthonyoliver.substack.com/p/david-anthony-oliver-reflections-017
Begin with a brief (recorded) lecture of physicist Richard Feynman distinguishing between knowing a vast pile of facts one the one hand and an understanding of these facts on the other.
Pay particular attention to Feynman’s voice (with its Brooklyn accent), body, and hand gestures. They are quintessentially and idiosyncratically Feynman. Do this because I am next going to show you a video constructed from Feynman’s words taken from his writing and lectures on the subject of AI entitled, “Why AI is actually stupid.”
Why AI is Actually Stupid
This brief “constructed video” is artificial. The words are accurately those of Feynman and his judgement that “AI is actually stupid.” But the presentation is artificial. It lacks the dynamism, intensity, and idiosyncrasy of the real Feynman above. This is immediately obvious when you compare the Feynman holding forth in the “constructed video” with the real Feynman of the direct recording.
Feynman argues that intelligence is not about processing symbols. It is about “embodying the world.” You will hear Feynman conclude, “Nature is far more wonderful than AI” —-And you receive this from an AI!! (Is your head spinning?)