Stephen Wolfram, a mathematician, and scientist, was raised in a household with a solid academic influence, as his mother served as a philosophy professor at Oxford University
As a result, his earlier self opposed the subject, but an older and potentially more discerning Wolfram recognizes the value of contemplating complex issues.
He now aspires to apply profound philosophical rigor to AI research to facilitate a more comprehensive comprehension of our challenges as AI becomes more advanced.
Wolfram was a young prodigy, publishing his first scientific paper at the age of 15 and earning a doctorate from Caltech at the age of 20.
Wolfram Alpha, Mathematica, and the Wolfram Language, a powerful computational programming language, are among the impressive corpus of work he has developed, spanning science, mathematics, and computing.
“My primary focus, in addition to fundamental science, has been the development of our Wolfram language computational language, which is designed to facilitate the computational expression of concepts that are beneficial to both humans and computers,” Wolfram stated in an interview with TechCrunch.
Wolfram asserts that the intersection of computers and people is increasingly becoming a philosophical exercise as AI developers and others contemplate its potential impact on humanity.
This contemplation involves the sober consideration of the implications of this technology. Classical philosophy is associated with that type of intricate reasoning.
“The question is what do you think about, and it is a distinct question that is more prevalent in traditional philosophy than in traditional STEM,” he stated.
For instance, when discussing the implementation of AI guardrails, these are fundamentally philosophical inquiries.
“Occasionally, in the technology sector, individuals may suggest that we simply instruct AI to perform the appropriate action when discussing establishing certain AI systems.”
Consequently, the question arises: “What is the appropriate course of action?” Additionally, moral decision-making is a philosophical endeavor.
He claims he has engaged in “horrifying discussions” with companies releasing AI without considering the consequences.
“You would be astounded by the degree to which individuals cannot think clearly about these issues during the attempted Socratic discussion.”
Right now, I am uncertain as to how to address these concerns. This presents a challenge; however, it is a location where these types of philosophical inquiries are currently of significance.
He asserts that scientists generally struggle to consider concepts in a philosophical context.
“One notable observation that I have made is that scientists find it disorienting to discuss large, novel concepts when conversing with them, as this is not a common occurrence in the field of science,” he stated.
“Science is an incremental field in which one is unprepared for the significant shift in perspective it will present.”
He believes that the increasing influence of AI and the questions it poses are leading us into a golden age of philosophy if the primary objective of philosophy is to address significant existential questions.
In his opinion, a significant number of the inquiries that we are currently facing due to AI are essentially fundamental philosophical inquiries.
“I have observed that the philosophers with whom I converse are significantly more agile when they approach various topics from a paradigmatic perspective,” he stated.
During his voyage, he encountered a group of master’s philosophy students at Ralston College in Savannah, Georgia. Wolfram addressed students regarding the imminent convergence of technology, liberal arts, and philosophy.
Wolfram stated that he had reread Plato’s “Republic” to reestablish the foundations of Western philosophy in his thoughts.
“And the question of how we would like the AIs to govern the world if they were to assume that role?” What is our perspective on that process? In the era of AI, what is the nature of the modernization of political philosophy?
He informed his pupils that these matters were directly related to the fundamental inquiries that Plato discussed.
Rumi Allbert, a student in the Ralston program who has dedicated his professional life to data science and has also participated in Wolfram Summer School, an annual program that aims to assist students in comprehending Wolfram’s methodology for applying science to business concepts, was captivated by Wolfram’s thought process.
“I find it extremely intriguing that a person of Dr. Wolfram’s caliber has such a strong interest in philosophy. I believe this underscores the significance of philosophy and the humanistic perspective on life.”
Allbert stated, “It appears to me that he has become so advanced in his field that it has become more of a philosophical question.”
Wolfram, who has been at the forefront of computer science for half a century, now recognizes the connections between philosophy and technology.
This could signify that it is time to begin addressing these concerns about AI usage in a broader context than a purely mathematical problem. Including philosophers in the discourse may serve as a practical approach.
