psychology120 hw

Homework #1 Prompt

For your first homework assignment, you will continue the discussion we began in class concerning artificial minds, symbolic representation, and the computer metaphor of the mind. Your discussion will probably be somewhere around 6-8 pages or so double spaced (quality much more important than quantity). You should cite papers, books, and course slides whenever necessary in APA format and include a references page. You are free to cite any additional material you wish, but only cite primary peer-reviewed sources as evidence (other sources can be used to discuss things like public perception).

1. First, summarize your thoughts on the following questions we briefly discussed in class, incorporating course material and key terms that you have learned so far (through Representation).

· In what ways is human cognition like computational processes?

· In what ways is it different?

· What is currently holding us back from creating strong AI? Discuss psychological, computational, technological, or even ethical issues here. Should we continue to try and develop strong AI? Why or why not?

2. Next, you will need to have a conversation with a few chatbots. First, talk with Cleverbot (link on Canvas) for around 10 minutes or so. Next, talk with Woebot (link on Canvas – you’ll need to download an app for your phone (iphone/android ok) for around 15 minutes. [If you have any issues downloading the software, please talk to me].

· Discuss your experience chatting with both Cleverbot and Woebot.

· Is Cleverbot trying to be strong AI or weak AI? What about Woebot? Does this relate to their performance and perceived intelligence?

· Is Woebot a useful therapist? Why or why not, and how could it improve?

· Do you think either of these programs could pass the Turing test? Why or why not?

· What are the problems with the Turing test, and what are some other ways we could evaluate intelligence and/or consciousness in an artificial mind?

3. Next, use the information we discussed in class, the textbook and Pearson & Kosslyn (2015) paper, and possibly also the papers posted on Canvas if you want an extra source or two, to answer the following questions.

· Briefly discuss the differences between analog and propositional representations.

· What evidence is there that supports humans using analog representation? What evidence is there that supports humans using propositional representation?

· How do humans solve the symbol-grounding problem?

· How can we build artificial minds/computers/robots that can “understand” things and overcome the symbol-grounding problem? What systems would such a machine require?

4. Finally, wrap up your paper with the following reflection.

· Have your thoughts on artificial intelligence (strong and weak) changed at all based on the material we have covered in the course up to this point or during your work on this assignment? Discuss why you have/haven’t changed your mind or re-evaluated your position on this debate.