he Role of Philosophy in the Age of AI
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) raises concerns about potential risks like rogue superintelligences, prompting OpenAI to prioritize AI alignment with human values. While engineers and machine learning experts are crucial, philosophy can offer significant contributions to this challenge.
Historically, philosophy has been instrumental in AI’s development, influencing the early focus on logic. From Frege’s development of modern logic to Turing’s concept of the computing machine, philosophical ideas laid the groundwork for AI. While deep learning, a key aspect of “second-wave” AI, draws more from engineering, philosophy remains relevant.
Large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, are built on statistical patterns of language use, an idea echoing Wittgenstein’s philosophy. However, deeper philosophical questions arise regarding LLMs’ ability to truly understand language or achieve consciousness. The “hard problem” of consciousness, which science has yet to fully explain, may require philosophical insights.
Similarly, the question of AI creativity is a philosophical one. Philosopher Margaret Boden argues that AI may generate new ideas but struggles with creative evaluation like humans. She also suggests a hybrid approach, combining logical techniques and deep learning, for achieving artificial general intelligence.
AI alignment, according to ChatGPT, requires aligning AI development and use with human values. This presents not just a technical problem but also a social one, demanding input from philosophers, social scientists, lawyers, policymakers, and citizens.
The influence of tech companies raises concerns about democracy, leading some to advocate for a “digital republic” to counter their power.
AI also impacts philosophy itself. Leibniz’s vision of a “calculus ratiocinator” for deriving philosophical answers may be becoming reality through computational philosophy, which encodes assumptions and derives consequences. Projects like PolyGraphs simulate information sharing on social media to address questions about opinion formation.
In conclusion, AI’s progress presents both challenges and opportunities for philosophy. It necessitates philosophical reflection on ethical implications, consciousness, creativity, and the societal impact of AI. Moreover, AI may provide tools and insights for philosophical inquiry itself.
