AI and the Illusion of Intelligence from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Illusions of Intelligence

Can AI match or surpass human intelligence? This is rapidly becoming the central question of our time -- but as we will see, it's the wrong question. In this module we will see that we can gain insight from centuries-old ideas about machines and intelligence.

Week 2: The Technology of Language

As Turing foresaw over a half-century ago, there has been a stunning development in computer technology, to the point where computers can mimic aspects of human intelligence. But something much bigger has happened -- we have begun for the first time in history to profoundly understand the nature of human intelligence, especially concerning language, in what has become known as the cognitive revolution. When we think about AI, we tend to think about the machines -- but in fact, it has always been all about us.

Week 3: Will Computers Ever Understand Us?

There has been impressive progress in AI development, especially concerning language technology. But the whole point of using language is to communicate meaning -- is AI progressing towards the goal of understanding meaning? Does it even make sense to think that a computer could understand us?

Week 4: AI -- a New Kind of Being?

With the Turing Test, Alan Turing suggested that computers might conceivably match or even surpass humans -- this is something more and more people are worried about. But Turing also showed, with the Halting Problem, that many problems go beyond what can ever be computed. There's no reason to assume that human intelligence could ever be captured by computation. More importantly, human intelligence and abilities are not static -- and AI is best thought of as a way of amplifying human abilities.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces illusion as a central concept in the study of Artificial Intelligence

Provides a comprehensive history of Artificial Intelligence, tracing its roots back to philosophy, linguistics, and cognitive science

Focuses on the practical applications of Artificial Intelligence, rather than just theoretical concepts

Taught by a respected expert in the field of Artificial Intelligence

Part of a larger series of courses on Artificial Intelligence, providing a comprehensive learning path

Requires students to have a strong foundation in mathematics and computer science

Reviews summary

Intriguing ai examination

Learners say that AI and the Illusion of Intelligence is a thought-provoking course that sparks critical discussion about the boundaries of AI. The background music may be distracting for some, but many enjoy the engaging visual aids and well-structured content. The course begins with foundational concepts and progresses into more advanced topics, capturing the nuances of artificial intelligence. Despite some spelling errors and grammatical mistakes and the possibility of cheating on peer assignments, learners largely find the course valuable for its exploration of the philosophical and computational theories that underpin AI.

Engaging visual aids enhance understanding.

"The visual aids were very well made and supplemented the content well."

"Very interesting course that makes a step aside the hype of AI so as to clearly see what it is and what it is not."

"I find it interesting and very well structured."

Thought-provoking exploration of AI's boundaries.

"I find it interesting and very well structured."

"It makes a step aside the hype of AI so as to clearly see what it is and what it is not."

"I’m very much happy with the lecture and the contents of the course."

Background music may be a distraction.

"I had to stop listening (unenroll) because the background music is an annoying distraction."

Concerns about cheating on peer assignments.

"all the peer assignments are clearly written by AI."

"cheating their way through it, it seems pointless."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AI and the Illusion of Intelligence with these activities:

Read 'Superintelligence' by Nick Bostrom

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This book explores the potential risks and benefits of superintelligence, and it offers insights into how we can shape the future of AI.

View Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book over the course of several weeks.
Take notes and highlight passages of interest.
Write a summary or review of the book.

Create a collection of resources on AI

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Creating a collection of resources on AI can help you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.

Browse courses on Artificial Intelligence

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Decide what type of resources you want to collect.
Find resources on the internet.
Organize the resources.
Share the resources with others.

Read 'The Singularity Is Near' by Ray Kurzweil

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By exploring the concept of the technological singularity, this book provides insight into the potential future of AI and its implications for human intelligence.

View The Computer and the Brain (The Silliman... on Amazon

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Get a copy of the book.
Read the book over the course of several weeks.
Take notes and highlight passages that you find interesting or important.
Write a summary of the book.
Discuss the book with other students or colleagues.

Five other activities

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Write a blog post about the history of AI

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Writing about the history of AI can help you understand how AI has evolved and what its current capabilities are.

Browse courses on Artificial Intelligence

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Write a blog post that is clear and concise.
Research the history of AI.
Choose a specific topic to focus on.
Publish your blog post online.
Promote your blog post on social media.

Study with a group of other students

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Studying with other students can help you learn the material better and stay motivated.

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Find a group of other students who are taking the same course.
Meet regularly to study together.
Discuss the course material.
Work on problems together.
Quiz each other on the material.

Practice solving AI problems on LeetCode

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Solving coding problems on LeetCode can help you improve your programming skills and your understanding of AI algorithms.

Browse courses on Artificial Intelligence

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Sign up for a LeetCode account.
Choose a problem to solve.
Try to solve the problem on your own.
If you get stuck, look at the discussion forum for help.
Once you have solved the problem, submit your solution.

Attend an AI workshop

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Attending an AI workshop can help you learn about new AI technologies and trends.

Browse courses on Artificial Intelligence

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Find an AI workshop that interests you.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop.
Participate in the workshop activities.
Network with other attendees.

Volunteer at a local AI organization

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Volunteering at an AI organization can help you gain real-world experience and learn about the latest AI technologies.

Browse courses on Artificial Intelligence

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Find a local AI organization that you are interested in volunteering for.
Contact the organization and ask about volunteering opportunities.
Attend a volunteer orientation.
Complete your volunteer hours.
Write a reflection paper about your volunteer experience.

Career center

Learners who complete AI and the Illusion of Intelligence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computational Linguist

As a Computational Linguist, you bridge the gap between computer science and linguistics. The study of linguistics has been fundamental to the development of AI and machine learning. This course builds a foundational understanding of computation and language, which directly aids the work of a Computational Linguist. By understanding the nature of language and intelligence, you unlock the potential of AI for natural language processing, machine translation, and other exciting applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computational Linguist

Natural Language Processing Engineer

Natural Language Processing Engineers design and develop systems that enable computers to understand and generate human language. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of language and intelligence, which is essential for a successful career as a Natural Language Processing Engineer. By understanding the principles of linguistics and the nature of meaning, you can effectively design and develop systems that can process and generate natural language, enabling computers to communicate with humans more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Language Processing Engineer

Cognitive Scientist

A Cognitive Scientist studies the mind and intelligence, especially as it applies to computers and technology. Since the 1950s, understanding the mind has been instrumental to the development of AI. This course builds a foundational understanding of this fascinating field, which directly aids the work of a Cognitive Scientist. By understanding the nature of language and intelligence, you push the boundaries of what's possible in AI and technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cognitive Scientist

Philosopher

Philosophers study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of intelligence and reality, which is essential for a successful career as a Philosopher. By understanding the principles of philosophy and the nature of meaning, you can effectively analyze and evaluate philosophical arguments, contributing to the advancement of human knowledge.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosopher

Ontologist

Ontologists develop and maintain ontologies, which are formal representations of knowledge that are used in various fields such as artificial intelligence, information systems, and bioinformatics. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of knowledge and intelligence, which is essential for a successful career as an Ontologist. By understanding the principles of ontology engineering and the nature of meaning, you can effectively develop and maintain ontologies that enable computers to understand and reason about the world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ontologist

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain user manuals, technical reports, and other documentation that explains complex technical information. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of language and intelligence, which is essential for a successful career as a Technical Writer. By understanding the principles of technical writing and the nature of meaning, you can effectively convey complex technical information to a wide range of audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers design, develop, and implement computer programs. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of computation and intelligence, which is essential for a successful career in Computer Programming. By understanding the principles of AI and the nature of language, you build a strong foundation for developing innovative and effective software solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Lexicographer

Lexicographers compile dictionaries and thesauruses, defining the meaning and usage of words. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of language and intelligence, which is essential for a successful career as a Lexicographer. By understanding the principles of linguistics and the nature of meaning, you can effectively define and categorize words, creating valuable resources for writers, researchers, and language learners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lexicographer

Knowledge Engineer

Knowledge Engineers design, build, and maintain knowledge bases used in expert systems. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of knowledge and intelligence, which is essential for a successful career as a Knowledge Engineer. By understanding the principles of AI and the nature of language, you can effectively capture and represent knowledge, enabling expert systems to make informed decisions and provide valuable insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Knowledge Engineer

Information Architect

Information Architects design and organize website and intranet structures and navigation systems to help users find and access information efficiently. This course builds a foundational understanding of language and intelligence, which directly aids the work of an Information Architect. By understanding the nature of meaning and communication, you effectively organize and present information, creating user-friendly and intuitive digital experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from structured and unstructured data. This course builds a foundational understanding of computation and language, which directly aids the work of a Data Scientist. By understanding the nature of meaning and intelligence, you gain valuable insights into the data you analyze, enabling you to make more informed decisions and predictions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Librarian

Librarians organize and maintain library collections, assist library users, and provide information services. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of knowledge and intelligence, which is essential for a successful career as a Librarian. By understanding the principles of information science and the nature of meaning, you can effectively organize and manage library collections, enabling users to find and access the information they need.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Editor

As an Editor, you oversee the production of written content, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency. This course builds a foundational understanding of language and intelligence, which directly aids the work of an Editor. By understanding the nature of meaning and communication, you effectively evaluate and refine written content, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of quality and effectiveness.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Author

As an Author, you write books, plays, and articles for a wide audience. Since ancient times, philosophers and scholars have considered the nature of intelligence and how people express themselves. This course builds a foundational understanding of computation and language, which directly aids the work of an Author. By understanding the nature of meaning, you create more effective and informative content for your readers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Product Manager

Product Managers oversee the development and launch of new products and features. This course provides a foundation in understanding the nature of intelligence and human behavior, which is essential for a successful career as a Product Manager. By understanding the principles of product management and the nature of meaning, you can effectively define and develop products that meet the needs and desires of users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager