From: Christopher Arthur (cjarthur@WAITROSE.COM)
Date: Tue Jan 20 2004 - 20:45:38 EST
Ian I missed some of this stream so I may be repeating a point. You seem interested in AI for the light it throws on human mental processes. As far as I can see the result of this so far has been a round zero. Let us take one of the areas where machines are strongest, playing chess. At one time the limited horizon of the search meant that the machine was strong tactically but weak strategically. However the latest one was said by the World Champion Kasparov to think so deeply it has achieved strategic competence. In other words if it was behind a screen one might think it was human. What have we learnt? Nothing. The machine does not play chess in any way at all like a human being. It computes accurately but it does not think if think is defined as employing concepts. Even such a simple idea as controlling the diagonal is beyond it. Every time it solemnly computes square by square what a human sees immediately. The very distinction betwen tactics and strategy is beyond it. The results are achieved through looking at every possibility. No human being bothers to do this. Our concepts allow us the short cut of going directly to the nub of the problem. Calculation is the final touch to the selection of a move just to check there is no hole in the combination in the short run. The strategic depth of thought of the new machine is just an illusion brought about by the computing power allowing it to reach the result a human achieves in a totally different fashion. Part of the weakness involved in the machines may be termed the failure to achieve a Gestalt. For example when humans play speed chess there is no time to calculate at all. If you ask why was a move selected the answer is 'it looked right in this sort of position'. Another issue is experience; only the experienced player acquires this ability to see at a glance the field of forces on the board. I think machines are a long way from modelling these human capacities. Cheers Chris A 17 Bristol Road, Brighton, BN2 1AP, England
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