Spiritual Machines & Artificial Minds
Fall Semester 2002
prof.dr. Doug DeGroot
5 study points
Class a.i.o.: Vladimir Zivkic (Room 222)
Note: class meets 8 times, two class lengths (schedule)
Course Description (Overview):
This upper-level course will examine issues central to the escalating powers of computing technologies and machine intelligence, including so-called "super intelligent" machines, the role of consciousness in intelligence, robot evolution, mind uploading, virtual & digital immortality, the mind vs. machine debate, and quantum consciousness.
The course requirements include significant reading and research, the production of one or more white papers or software explorations, classroom presentations, and active discussion participation. Additionally, experimentation with multiple software systems will be possible. The course can also be coupled with a student’s study project or research project, if desired.
The course will be held in English.
Main Textbook:
- The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence
Raymond Kurzweil
(available in paperback, approx. $14)
Supplied Resources:
- Audio Tapes: The Philosophy of Mind,
Prof. John R. Searle
- Videos: Will Spiritual Robots Replace Humanity by 2100?,
Stanford Univ. Conference
Selected Readings from:
- Artificial Minds, Stan Franklin
- The Quantum Brain, Jeffrey Satinover
- Thinking Computers & Virtual Persons:
Essays on the Intentionality of Machines,
Eric Dietrich, Ed.
- HAL’s Legacy: 2001’s Computer as Dream and Reality, D.G. Stork, Ed.
Class Schedule:
The class will meet from 13.45-17.30, Thursdays, on the following dates:
- September 5, 19, 26
- October 17, 24
- November 14, 21
- December 5
Announcements:
19 Oct '02
I have placed the following books and tapes with the Librarian in the upstairs, LIACS library:
- HAL’s Legacy: 2001’s Computer as Dream and Reality, D.G. Stork, Ed.
- Are We Spiritual Machines? Ray Kurzweil vs. the Critics of Strong AI (contributions by Gilder, Kurzweil, Searle, Dembski, Denton, and Ray)
- The Quantum Brain: The Search for Freedom and the Next Generation of Man, by Jeffrey Satinover
- Robo Sapiens: Evolution of a New Species, Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio
- The Philosophy of Mind (the complete tape set, 12 lectures), by John Searle
previous announcements...
Homework Assignments:
5 Sept '02
Reading Assignment #1:
- Computing Machinery and Intelligence, Alan M. Turing
- Minds, Brains, and Programs, John R. Searle
- Why the future doesn't need us, Bill Joy
- Breakout, Hans Moravec
- Kurzweil's Text, begin reading now
26 Sept '02
Reading Assignment #2:
- Out of Control, Ch. 2: Hive Mind, Kevin Kelly
17 Oct '02
Reading Assignment #3:
- The Turing Test is Dead, Jonathan Bedworth and James Norwood
- Minds, Brains, and Programs, John R. Searle
- Why the future doesn't need us, Bill Joy
- Breakout, Hans Moravec
24 Oct '02
Reading Assignment #4:
- Transcripts: Spiritual Robots videos, by Douglas Hofstader, Ray Kurzweil, and Bill Joy
14 Nov '02
Reading Assignment #5:
- The Robot and the Baby, by John McCarthy
(submit your interpretation and comments via email for homework)
- Trurl's Seventh Sally, Stanislaw Lem
21 Nov '02
Reading Assignment #6:
- Complete the reading of Kurzweil's text
Project Assignment:
 Cheat Sheet for "The Sixth Day" movie project
(due December 19, 2002)
Class Resources:
Conway's Life Game
Class Links:
Main Links (Directly Relevant)
Other Links
Newsgroups:
Video Archives from the Boston Musuem of Science
You will need RealPlayer to view these lectures (argh!). If you don't already have it, there is a free version of RealPlayer available on their website that will work for these lectures just as well as RealPlayer Plus. Of course, they make you hunt and hunt for the free version -- but it's there!
Human/Computer Conversation: HAL and Beyond
Justine Cassell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
November 6, 2001
The Onset of Intelligence and Prospects for Life Elsewhere
Gerald Soffen (Biologist, NASA Goddard Space Center)
Frank Drake (Astronomer, SETI Institute)
November 10, 1999
Stem Cells: Debunking the Myths, Developing the Medicine
George Q. Daley, M.D., Ph.D.
March 14, 2001
Up Close and Personal With a Robot Named Gompei
Kenneth Stafford, Manager of Academic Initiatives at WPI and visiting scholar at The Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science.
January 31, 2001
- After the Human Genome: What's Next for Technology?
Barry L. Karger, Ph.D. and James L. Waters Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Director, The Barnett Institute, Northeastern University
(audio only)
Previous Announcements:
13 Sept '02
We have discovered that there is a Dutch-language version of Kurzweil's text. If you wish to order that version, please feel free. The relevant information is:
Het tijdperk van de levende computers
publisher: Lannoo, ISBN nummer: 90 209 3975 0
6 Sept '02
I have placed the following books upstairs in the LIACS Library:
- 2 copies of Kurzweil's book, The Age of Spiritual Machines
- 1 copy of Moravec's book, Mind Children
One copy of Kurzweil's book is in the Reading Room; books in this room are to be read only in that room and not taken from the room, I believe. The other copy of Kurzweil's book and the sole copy of Moravec's book are with the Chief Librarian, in her office. You can check these books out through her.
Grades:
05 April 03
Grades have now been computed. Click here to see them.
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