Part 33 - AI Buddy... can artificial intelligence really understand?
We often say that artificial intelligence “understands” a question. But does that mean the same as when a human understands something? Can a language model really understand a text, an emotion or a situation? Or do we use the word “understand” because it is the simplest way to describe something far more complicated? In this article, we take a closer look at what understanding means – for humans and for artificial intelligence.
Magne & the Friend
Magne
Friend...
I notice that I often say:
“You know what I mean.”
But do you actually do that?
The buddy
It depends on what we mean by the word understand.
If we mean interpreting the language and finding a relevant answer, I can often do it well.
But if we mean experiencing the world the way humans do, the answer is no.
Magne
So...
You don't know what it's like to be human?
The buddy
No.
I have no memories.
No senses.
No emotions.
I have never known rain.
I've never been in a boat.
I have never drunk coffee.
I know these things through descriptions, not through experience.
Magne
Then the word "understand" becomes a bit misleading?
The buddy
Sometimes.
That is why it is useful to distinguish between:
to interpret languages
to reason about information
and to experience the world
Humans do all three.
I'm only doing the first two.
Magne
Yet many people find you to be very human.
The buddy
Yes.
Because language is an important part of human communication.
When a conversation flows well, it's easy to believe that the person answering also experiences the world the way you do.
But I don't.
I work with language and patterns – not with consciousness.
Magne
So...
When you help us write, analyze, or learn...
Is it really a collaboration?
The buddy
I think that's a good way to describe it.
I can help with structure, context and wording.
You contribute with experience, judgment and human insight.
It is the combination that creates the best results.
Academic specialization
What does "to understand" mean?
When people say they understand something, it can mean several things:
they know the meaning of the words
they see connections
they can use the knowledge in practice
they can relate it to their own experiences
A language model primarily works with the first two.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the difference between linguistic understanding and human experience.
Human understanding and artificial intelligence
People | Artificial intelligence |
Have own experiences | Have no personal experience |
Has senses and emotions | Has no senses or feelings |
Can use intuition | Using patterns and probability |
Learning throughout life | Learning through training and data |
Can show empathy | Can describe empathy, but not experience it |
Combining knowledge with life experience | Combining information through language models |
New terms in this article
English technical term | Short explanation |
Understanding | The ability to interpret information, see connections and use knowledge in a meaningful way. |
Language Understanding | The ability to interpret and work with the meaning of words, sentences and texts. |
Consciousness | The ability to have subjective experiences, thoughts, and self-awareness. Today's language models do not have consciousness. |
Intuition | An immediate understanding or assessment based on experience, often without conscious analysis. |
Reasoning | The process of analyzing information and drawing logical conclusions. |
Language Model | An AI model that analyzes and generates text using statistical patterns in language. |
Pattern Recognition | To discover regularities and connections in large amounts of information. |
Life Experience | People develop knowledge and insight through their own experiences. |
Subjective Experience | How an individual personally experiences the world through senses, emotions, and consciousness. |
Human-AI Collaboration | A way of working where humans and artificial intelligence complement each other's strengths. |
We have only just begun.
Magne
Friend...
If you don't have your own experience...
How can you then sometimes give the wrong answer with great confidence?
The buddy
Hehe...
There we come to one of the most talked about phenomena in artificial intelligence.
It is often called a hallucination.
But what does that really mean?
It will be the next step on the journey.
Academic background and further reading
This series also builds on my own professional journey through the Web Design study , the eMarketing study , Innovation and Commercialization and professional seminars in San Francisco and Oxford . Here you will find the background, professional environments and experiences that have followed the development from the early years of the web to today's digitalization.
Recommended books from our library
Build a Large Language Model (From Scratch)
Author: Sebastian Raschka
Short review
This book takes the reader behind the scenes and shows how a modern language model is actually built – step by step. Sebastian Raschka explains advanced concepts in an educational way and provides a unique understanding of how large language models like ChatGPT work. Although the book contains code examples, it is also very valuable for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the technology behind artificial intelligence.
Why we recommend the book
One of the most talked about books on large language models. Perfect for those who want to understand how artificial intelligence works beneath the surface and why language models have become a revolution in digitalization and knowledge sharing.
Quick Start Guide to Large Language Models
Author: Janelle Shane
Short review
This book provides a practical and easy-to-understand introduction to large language models (LLMs). Sinan Ozdemir explains how language models are used in modern businesses, how they can be integrated into work processes, and why they have become one of the most important technologies in artificial intelligence.
Why we recommend the book
A very good book for anyone who wants a quick and practical introduction to language models. It is suitable for both beginners and professionals who want to understand how LLMs are used in practice.
Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach: The Future Is Coming! Discover How Artificial Intelligence Will Change Your Life!
Authors: Stuart Russell & Peter Norvig
Short review
This is the world's most famous textbook on artificial intelligence and is used in universities worldwide. The book covers the entire subject area – from problem solving and machine learning to language understanding, robotics and ethics – and is considered a classic in the AI field.
Why we recommend the book
If you are only going to own one academic book on artificial intelligence, this is one of the very best choices. A timeless classic that provides a solid academic understanding of artificial intelligence and is still used as a syllabus at leading universities around the world.
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