Fireside Chat with Joscha Bach & Rana Gujral – LEAP 2023

DeepFest was co-located with LEAP from 6-9 February 2023 at Riyadh Expo Centre. According to Wired Media, the event is the world’s most attended tech event, a “DIGITAL DAVOS.” With AI and Machine Learning set to impact every industry, this government-backed AI conference and exhibition explored the practical implementation of live and future AI projects across the globe. The event acted as the premier meeting place for the global Artificial Intelligence ecosystem of thought-leaders, change-makers, big tech, data scientists, innovators, enterprises, academia, start-ups, and entrepreneurs leading innovation across businesses. Behavioral Signals and our CEO, Rana Gujral, was there to discuss AI Consciousness with the esteemed Principal AI Engineer at Intel Labs Cognitive Computing group and a member of our Scientific Advisory Board, Joscha Bach. Rana and Josche had a FIRESIDE CHAT about Artificial Consciousness and New Language Models: The changing fabric of our society.

In a thought-provoking conversation, two individuals delve into the realms of artificial intelligence (AI), philosophy, and their implications for society. They emphasize the need to differentiate between the automation of data processing and the philosophical endeavor of mechanizing the mind. The latter is seen as a significant and challenging project, aiming to ground philosophy on a mathematical foundation. The conversation points out the potential misunderstandings arising from conflating these two aspects of AI.

The discussion then shifts to the current progress of AI and the challenges it poses. The guest expresses concerns about society’s lack of preparedness to handle AI’s rapid advancements and emphasizes the need to adapt timelines and expectations accordingly. It is suggested that future iterations of AI, such as advanced language models like ChatGPT, may outperform humans in various tasks, raising questions about the nature of human intelligence and its interaction with AI.

The conversation also touches upon the decline of philosophy and academia’s challenges, citing a shift from answering questions to playing with methods. However, the guest suggests that focusing on AI technology and formal sciences could advance philosophy in new and necessary directions.

The dialogue then explores the concepts of reality and consciousness. It delves into the idea that reality is a model constructed by the brain based on sensory data and explores the possibility that base reality might be mathematical, existing without prerequisites. Free will is examined as a subjective sensation arising from the experience of making novel decisions under uncertainty.

The conversation also examines the role of deep learning in AI and the potential for it to lead to general artificial general intelligence (AGI). While deep learning has shown promise, the guest suggests that there might be more nuanced approaches beyond brute force methods. The possibility of combining a dreaming machine (like ChatGPT) with a proof system that adheres to epistemological criteria is discussed.

Regarding the future implications of AI, the discussion highlights the significance of AI systems that have a sense of the “now” and interact with humans as companions or tools rather than parental figures. The potential societal impacts, including changes in belief systems, morality, ethics, and culture, are contemplated. The conversation acknowledges that society may not be fully prepared for such changes but encourages an approach rooted in hope, love, and a shared sense of purpose.

In conclusion, this thought-provoking dialogue sheds light on the interplay between AI, philosophy, and society. It raises important questions about the future of AI, the nature of consciousness, the boundaries of human agency, and the societal implications of advanced AI systems. While no definitive answers are provided, the conversation invites further exploration and reflection on these crucial topics.

Watch the full video:

Stay tuned for LEAP 2024, taking place on 4 – 7 March 2024, at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham, Saudi Arabia. We will be there!