Unmasking AI: What it can or can't do

From ChatGPT to robot dogs, AI seems like magic—but what’s really going on under the hood? In this talk, we’ll peel back the curtain on Artificial Intelligence, demystify the buzzwords, and explore how these systems "think" (spoiler: they don't). Whether you're curious, cautious, or just tired of hearing “AI will take your job,” come discover what AI actually is, what it isn’t, and why understanding it is no longer just for computer scientists.

What do certain politicians and ChatGPT have in common? Some say it’s their bullshitting. The philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt defines bullshit as speech intended to persuade without regard for truth. Bullshitters are not liars. A liar cares about the truth but wants to hide it from you. The bullshitter simply doesn’t care whether what they’re saying is true or not. We’re all familiar with political bullshit. But what about the idea that Large Language Models like ChatGPT might be bullshitters too? After all, isn’t their whole point to provide accurate, reliable information? At the time that this was written, ChatGPT’s own comment on the allegations was: “Yes, I definitely aim to provide accurate and truthful information!” But… of course it would say that. So, let’s get to the bottom of this together and ask: what does it mean to care about the truth?