Shelly Palmer - Can Philosophers Help Answer Big AI Questions?

Shelly Palmer has been named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” and writes a popular daily business blog.

Stephen Wolfram argues that as AI advances, it is crucial for philosophers to engage deeply with the big questions it raises (such as the nature of consciousness, ethics, and the potential societal impacts of AI). Photo by Mikechie Esparagoza/Pexels

I haven't read Plato’s "Republic" since college, but an article I read over the weekend inspired me to download it last night and dig in. The article discusses Stephen Wolfram's perspective on the role of philosophers in addressing the ethical and existential questions surrounding AI. (If you are unfamiliar with Stephen Wolfram, he is the creator of Mathematica and is the "Wolfram" in Wolfram|Alpha.)

Stephen argues that as AI advances, it is crucial for philosophers to engage deeply with the big questions it raises (such as the nature of consciousness, ethics, and the potential societal impacts of AI). He believes that a multidisciplinary approach, combining philosophical insight with technical expertise, is essential for navigating the complex challenges posed by AI.

If you have an extra few minutes – and you want to spend them being reminded that "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" – the article is worth a read.

As I thought about it last night (having hit Plato's Socratic debate pretty hard), I started to wonder about AI's impact on fundamental questions. Wolfram is onto something. Dust off your copy of "Republic" and (after you read it through your AI lens) reach out. Let's start our own Socratic dialogue about how the advent of AI is likely to change the nature of reality and human experience.

As always your thoughts and comments are both welcome and encouraged. -s

P.S. I'm heading to Bangkok next week to do a keynote about AI for my friends at AppsFlyer. This will be my first time in Bangkok, and I would welcome your suggestions about awesome things to see and do. Just reply to this email. Thx.