Question

Can computers think?

If functionalist theory of mind is right, then a system that is able to perform the same cognitive functions as a human being, a system that reacts to the stimuli in the same way as we do, a system that processes the information and produces the same output as we do, should actually be described as having a mind. If they are right, computers could literally be described as being able to play chess, speak language, do the math and our minds should be understood simply as computational systems. Do you agree? Can computers actually think, or are they just simulating thinking?

CAPTCHA, a test to distinguish human responses from computer responses, relies on the processing of visual information, ability to read distorted symbols. Do you think programmers will be able to develop programs that will let the computers pass this test. How do you prove to me that you are not a computer but a real student? Is our mind simply a very complex computer?

Think of the movies such as Artificial Intelligence or Ex Machina that portray robots with the apparent ability to function and communicate as humans: If we could one day create such robots, would you say they were really feeling and thinking or just act as if they do?

Answer 1

• In my opinion computers don’t “think” - they mindlessly follow rules that the (human) computer programmer sets out for them to follow.This is what makes computers so astoundingly useful. They always do precisely what you tell them - whether that’s good or bad, sane or crazy, safe or dangerous.
• A computer program is essentially a list of rules - perhaps more like a cooking recipe. It can follow that recipe to the letter never straying from it never having an original thought of any kind.
• We are slowly working towards “Artificial Intelligence” - where we write a set of rules for the mindless machine that make it seem like it’s thinking.
• For example, suppose I write a program to play a simple game like “noughts-and-crosses”.I can either write a set of cast-iron rules that say “If the player does THIS, then you do THAT”…or I can write a set of rules to tell the computer how to learn.
• So perhaps I make a long list of all of the possible states of the board - and for each one assign a random move. The computer is told, look at the board,find the entry in the table corresponding to that state - and then make whatever move is shown there.Obviously, since the moves are chosen at random, it’ll play extremely badly.
• But suppose I add a new rule. If you lose the game, then pick new random moves for all of the positions you played.This is another rigid rule that the computer can follow.
• But the consequence of it is that every time the computer wins - it leaves the strategy that got it that win alone - so it’ll play it again.But if it loses (which it’ll do a lot to start with) - then it’ll never play that same way again.
• So eventually, after enough times playing real human players, it’ll learn a set of moves that will allow it to win (or at least draw) every single time.The computer is “learning” - just like a small child might. But even though it seems like it’s “thinking” - it’s really just mindlessly following a bunch of rules.
• This is how things like facial recognition works - the computer starts off picking faces out of photographs using a set of completely random “rules” - and when it makes a mistake, it changes the rules and tries again. When it gets it right, it reinforces the rules it used to do that.
• So, again, this relentlessly mindless process leads the computer to be able to do the most amazing things.
• Another difficulty with computers is with emotion and the reason why computers won't ever be able to experience emotions the way humans do is that they are produced by an interaction between the brain and the body working together. When you feel happy, your body feels a certain way, your mind notices, and the resonance between body and mind produces an emotion.Until computers can simulate this experience, they will never be truly intelligent.
• Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation.