Artificial You: AI and the Future of Your Mind

by Susan Schneider

Overview

A guide to AI’s thorniest implications that asks: How shall we navigate our brave new world?

We are at a monumental turning point in human history. AI is taking intelligence in new directions. The strongest human competitors in chess, go, and Jeopardy! have been beaten by AIs, and AI is getting more sophisticated by the day. Further, AI research is going inside the human brain itself, attempting to augment human minds. It may even create greater-than-human-level intelligence, leading to a new generation of artificial minds—Minds 2.0. Susan Schneider, a philosopher, argues that these undertakings must not be attempted without a richer understanding of the nature of the mind. An insufficient grasp of the underlying philosophical issues could undermine the use of AI and brain enhancement technology, bringing about the demise or suffering of conscious beings. Examining the philosophical questions lying beneath the algorithms, Schneider takes on AI’s thorniest implications.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691216744
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	04/13/2021
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Susan Schneider is the NASA/Baruch Blumberg Chair of Astrobiology and Technological Innovation at the Library of Congress and NASA, and the Dietrich Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Neuroscience at Florida Atlantic University. Twitter @DrSueSchneider

Table of Contents

Introduction: Your Visit to the Center for Mind Design 1

Chapter 1 The Age of AI 9

Chapter 2 The Problem of AI Consciousness 16

Chapter 3 Consciousness Engineering 33

Chapter 4 How to Catch an AI Zombie: Testing for Consciousness in Machines 46

Chapter 5 Could You Merge with AI? 72

Chapter 6 Getting a Mindscan 82

Chapter 7 A Universe of Singularities 98

Chapter 8 Is Your Mind a Software Program? 120

Conclusion: The Afterlife of the Brain 148

Appendix: Transhumanism 151

Acknowledgments 153

Notes 157

References 165

Index 173

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This riveting book is both entertaining and profound: it presents a humane perspective on AI, a topic that has attracted too much naive hype and scaremongering. Classic philosophical problems of the self, the mind, and consciousness will soon—through transformative advances in AI—become crucial to practical ethics and individual choices. Schneider offers sophisticated insights on what is perhaps the number one long-term challenge confronting humanity."—Martin Rees, author of On the Future: Prospects for Humanity

"Is artificial consciousness possible? Could you become an AI? Would you still be you? Schneider makes a vivid and compelling case that the future of humanity may depend on the answers to these philosophical questions. Artificial You is brimming with useful tools for thinking about the mind and its future."—David J. Chalmers, author of The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory

"A fascinating exploration of human-level AI and brain enhancement, combined with a passionate argument for the importance of philosophy in understanding what on earth we are doing when we pursue these lines of research."—Stuart Russell, author of Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control

"What does it take to have a mind and be a conscious being? Could AI have a mind? Could it have a conscious mind? Might the best plan be for us to merge with our best AIs? Artificial You is a smart, bite-sized tour de force of the state of play in philosophy and science. Before you request your next mind design upgrade, read this book."—Andy Clark, author of Surfing Uncertainty: Prediction, Action, and the Embodied Mind

“As we stride eagerly into a near-future realm populated by augmented humans and artificial intelligence, Schneider probes the minefield ahead, posing stark choices that humanity will face.” —David Brin, Hugo award–winning author of Existence and The Transparent Society

"AI, metaphysics, and the future of life in the universe—Schneider writes about the biggest issues of our time with an engagingly light touch, and enviable insight and clarity. Highly recommended."—Huw Price, academic director of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence and co-founder of the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk

"This timely and exciting book explores issues at the intersection of philosophy of mind and philosophy of technology. Cautiously optimistic about transhumanism and conscious artificial intelligence, Schneider articulates an interesting, coherent perspective. I know of no other book that combines such a high level of quality and accessibility on these topics. Artificial You is terrific."—Eric Schwitzgebel, The Splintered Mind blog and author of Perplexities of Consciousness

Editorial Reviews

One of Forbes' Must-Read Brain Books of 2019

Finalist for the PROSE Award in Philosophy, Association of American Publishers

"Packed with material that enlightens new ways of thinking about a hot topic. . . . a philosophical tour with real-world implications and it’ll appeal most to readers who enjoy playing out scenarios. . . . One of the benefits of learning about AI is better understanding the human mind, and this book—while challenging—offers an accessible, enjoyable intro for both."—-David DiSalvo, Forbes

"Schneider is a sure-footed and witty guide to slippery ethical terrain. Her exposition of the consciousness problem is laced with helpful examples. It pries clarity from the essential opacity of its central concepts, most important consciousness itself. And it is refreshingly candid."—-Aziz Huq, Washington Post

"[A] demanding dialogue between philosophy and science."—-Andrew Robinson, Nature

"[A] well-reasoned and thoughtful discussion about the need for AI researchers and policymakers to place more emphasis on the question of consciousness."—-Martin De Saulles, Times Higher Education

"This is a fun, provocative, thoughtful and interesting book to read. . . . As we rush, almost unthinkingly into an AI enhanced world this is a book that is well worth reading."—-Simon Cocking, Irish Tech News

"This book is a delight to read. Deeply satisfying: a double prolonged plea for humility as we explore questions [of AI and the nature of consciousness]. A stimulating and accessible blend of neuroethical speculation and provocation, all deriving from a deeply felt moral mission. In short, highly recommend."—-John Banja, AJOB Neuroscience

"Accessible and intriguing. . . . A significant contribution to some of the often-overlooked ethical issues surrounding the continued development of artificial intelligence."—-Ken Daley, The Philosopher’s Magazine

From the Publisher

"[A] demanding dialogue between philosophy and science."

Nature

"Schneider is a sure-footed and witty guide to slippery ethical terrain. Her exposition of the consciousness problem is laced with helpful examples. It pries clarity from the essential opacity of its central concepts, most important consciousness itself. And it is refreshingly candid."

Washington Post