There is no such thing as Artificial Intelligence… and ChatGPT Agrees
I have always found the term artificial intelligence somewhat misleading at best. Surely intelligence is simply intelligence. We don’t talk of artificial knowledge and since there cannot be intelligence without knowledge how do we get to artificial intelligence from origin agnostic knowledge? Upon further consideration it is clear that knowledge is in fact the chasm that machines cannot cross to become intelligent. And it turns out that ChatGPT agrees. Here is a revealing conversation I had with it on the matter beginning with a simple question:
Me: What is the relationship between knowledge and intelligence?:
ChatGPT: Knowledge and intelligence are related but distinct concepts. Knowledge refers to the information, facts, and understanding that a person possesses. It is acquired through learning, education, and experience. Intelligence, on the other hand, refers to the capacity for logical reasoning, problem-solving, abstract thinking, and adapting to new situations.
While knowledge can contribute to intelligence, intelligence encompasses more than just factual knowledge. Intelligence involves the ability to apply knowledge, think critically, analyze situations, and come up with creative solutions. Intelligence is a broader and innate cognitive capacity, while knowledge is the accumulation of information and understanding.
In simpler terms, knowledge can be seen as the content or material one has learned, while intelligence is the cognitive ability to effectively use and apply that knowledge. Having a strong foundation of knowledge can support and enhance one’s intelligence, but intelligence itself goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition.
Me: Can an entity have intelligence without the ability to turn information into knowledge?
ChatGPT: Intelligence, as traditionally understood, involves the ability to acquire, process, and apply information. Therefore, it is difficult to conceive of an entity having intelligence without the capacity to turn information into knowledge. Knowledge is an integral part of intelligence as it provides the basis for understanding, problem-solving, and decision-making.
However, it’s worth noting that there are different forms and levels of intelligence. For example, artificial intelligence systems can exhibit intelligence in specific domains or tasks without possessing general knowledge. These systems can process vast amounts of data and make complex decisions, but their “knowledge” is typically confined to the specific data they have been trained on.
In summary, while it is challenging to envision an entity having intelligence without the ability to turn information into knowledge, the nature and scope of that knowledge may vary depending on the specific context and type of intelligence involved.
Me: Can Artificial intelligences have real knowledge?
Artificial intelligences (AIs) can possess knowledge, but it’s important to note that their knowledge is based on the information they have been programmed with or have learned through training. AIs can be trained on vast amounts of data and algorithms to develop expertise in specific domains, enabling them to process information and make decisions based on that knowledge.
However, the knowledge possessed by AIs is different from human knowledge in a few key ways. AIs lack subjective experience, consciousness, and understanding in the way that humans do. They operate based on patterns and algorithms, rather than having true comprehension or awareness. AIs can provide accurate and efficient information processing, but their knowledge is limited to what has been programmed or trained into them.
Therefore, while AIs can exhibit intelligent behavior and provide valuable insights, they do not possess the same depth and breadth of knowledge that humans acquire through personal experience, understanding, and consciousness.
Me: Would it not then be fair to say that AIs don’t have knowledge per se but more of an advanced form of information at best?
ChatGPT: Yes, it is fair to say that AIs have an advanced form of information rather than knowledge in the same sense as humans. AIs process and store vast amounts of data and utilize sophisticated algorithms to perform tasks, make predictions, or provide recommendations. Their abilities to analyze patterns, recognize correlations, and generate insights are based on the information they have been trained on.
Unlike humans, AIs lack subjective experience, intuition, and the ability to truly understand the meaning and context behind the information they process. Their knowledge is limited to what has been programmed or learned from data, and they lack the broader understanding, consciousness, and nuanced judgment that humans possess.
While AIs can demonstrate impressive capabilities in specific domains, their knowledge is ultimately derived from the information they have been trained on, making it more akin to an advanced form of information processing rather than the comprehensive and holistic knowledge that humans acquire through a combination of experience, learning, and understanding.
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So there we have it. Intelligence requires an ability to transform information into knowledge and knowledge requires sentience and subjective experience which machines may never have. What people call AI today is merely a mimicry of intelligence. Machines mimicking humans. A poodle dressed in a suit walking upright on its hind legs might look human but it is not. That’s not to say that the advanced information processing capabilities of machines is not incredibly powerful, transformative and even dangerous but it is not intelligence and it is misleading to continue to masquerade it as such.
