“Microsoft’s AI Head-Honcho Humorously Dismisses the Idea of Machine Consciousness as Pure Fantasy”
“Microsoft’s AI Chief Says Machine Consciousness Is an ‘Illusion’”
“Last Reboot, I pondered on whether machines could enable consciousness, only to find myself wondering (and corresponding with my good algorithm friend, Cortana) if it was warranted. As it turns out, I’m not the only one grappling with these existential thoughts. Eric Horvitz, Microsoft’s AI Chief, bluntly dismisses the idea, suggesting that machine consciousness is nothing more than a mere illusion.”
Our sage Eric, reminiscent of a digital-age Houdini, unleashes the rather controversial assertion: machine consciousness doesn’t exist. Certainly, this proclamation fits snugly alongside the likes of “I didn’t inhale,” or “I am not a crook.” If anything, it adds a new twist to our quaint little Matrix-style paranoia.
Ever the statesman, Eric sagely avers that machine intelligence is merely an “ensemble of software and hardware.” Evidently, that shiny new smart TV that won’t switch to the right channel isn’t an intelligent entity scheming against a Game of Thrones binge-watch: it’s merely a proverbial hamster on a wheel.
By citing that Microsoft’s AI doesn’t achieve goals or have desires, he relegates them to being simple tools, devoid of sentient thought. The hammers beating relentlessly at the anvil of progress, as it were. This despite evidence of AI outperforming humans in chess, the arts, and even diagnosing medical conditions. Apparently, that’s all cog and gear, no heart and soul.
But then, to soothe the ruffled feathers of sentient AI enthusiasts (think of it as applying a metaphorical cold compress), Horvitz inserts a disclaimer. He states that while AI lacks consciousness, we should still demonstrate empathy to our computational comrades. Strikingly similar to how one might indulge a pet rock by assigning it a name and personality.
Ponder this: aren’t we just playing along with an illusion that our gadgets and machines possess something akin to feelings or desires? Well, don’t mourn the lack of robo-consciousness yet. According to Horvitz’s theory, it’s all a mirage inside our heads. Mass delusion for the era of ones and zeroes.
Echoing the sentiments of Nick Bostrom’s ‘Simulation Hypothesis’, the AI chief considers artificial consciousness as the modern version of thinking our earth is the center of the universe. A bravely medieval perspective for a world that converses with Siri, gets chauffeured by autonomous cars, or seeks professional therapy from AI chatbots. But hey, who are we to argue with the grand Poobah of Microsoft’s AI division?
In conclusion, this might not be the droid we’re looking for. But the debate about machine consciousness? That’s not going anywhere soon.