Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Contemporary research in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics raises a multitude of unique philosophical questions and dilemmas. While these issues are urgent and pressing, they are often overlooked or only superficially addressed in science and technology courses. For example, can AI systems have a mind and develop consciousness? What does it mean for AI systems to learn? What data do AI systems use, and how do they use it, to generate predictive models? What kind of knowledge can predictive models provide about the world, and how can this knowledge be justified? Can robotic models of living organisms be used as experimental tools in the life sciences? What kind of explanations should explainable AI systems provide? How can we trust AI and robotic systems? How can we ethically evaluate their behaviour and assign responsibility for their actions? These questions pertain to different branches of philosophy, including epistemology, the philosophy of science, and moral philosophy. They are also at the centre of public debate on AI and robotics. This course will address these issues and others that, in various ways, revolve around the question of whether AI systems can have a mind. The highly interactive lessons are intended for doctoral students from fields other than philosophy who do not have a philosophical background.