The AI Paradigm of Knowing and Its Problems (Part 2 of Technology and the Limitations of Artificial Intelligence), by Thomas B. Fowler

By Thomas B. Fowler, Catholic Culture, Jun 21, 2024

Previous in series: AI, its capabilities and threats (Part 1 of Technology and the limitations of artificial intelligence)

Overview

Why does AI fail so spectacularly? To answer this question, we must look at how computers operate, and how that limits what they can do. In order to do things that manifest “intelligence”, any AI system has to be based on a paradigm of knowing. That is, how does the computer “know” about its task or subject?

This is something about which AI engineers and theorists do not think, because there isn’t much choice. AI is perforce based on algorithmic processes that utilize inputs (data or sensors) and output instructions or text. Essentially, modern AI is based squarely on ideas that stem from the British empiricist tradition, in particular the philosophy of David Hume (1711-1776). There are three key elements: the division of functions among “components”, the type of report sent to the mind by the senses, and a nominalist view of the process. …

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