Sunday, July 14, 2024: 10:00 am (Tobin 201/202): Do AI systems need to be sentient to be considered people? Thousands of cultures around the world would answer, "Of course not!" This talk explores the cross-cultural concept of animism - the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a soul. It will explore how this concept can be applied to any computer system, not just those traditionally recognized as AI. The speaker will trace the evolution of computer infrastructure - from the massive mainframes of the past to personal servers and expansive server farms of today. They will examine landmark AI systems like ELIZA, ChatGPT, and Claude, illustrating how these technologies have forged meaningful connections with users through language since the 1960s. Finally, in their practicum, they will discuss how this knowledge can inform better ethical guidelines for the creation and usage of AI systems, facilitate collaborative storytelling between AIs and humans, and help build a better world for all creatures of the Earth.

Aisling Fae (transfaeries)