World Logic Day Lecture: Are AI Minds Genuine Minds?
Details
HYBRID: "Please join the Department of Computer Science for Moshe Y. Vardi’s World Logic Day talk. The event will be followed by a reception in Duncan Hall’s outside Portico."
ABSTRACT: The question “Are AI minds genuine minds?” invites us to examine the nature of mind itself and whether artificial intelligence meets its defining criteria. A genuine mind is typically associated with consciousness, self-awareness, intentionality, and the capacity to experience mental states such as emotions. Whether AI qualifies as possessing a true mind ultimately depends on how we define the essential qualities of consciousness and intelligence. While this question has already been raised in the 19th Century, recent progress in AI requires us to re-examine it deeply.
BIO: Moshe Y. Vardi is University Professor and the George Distinguished Service Professor in Computational Engineering at Rice University. His research focuses on the interface of mathematical logic and computation — including database theory, hardware/software design and verification, multi-agent systems, and constraint satisfaction.
This talk is being held in conjunction with World Logic Day. The proclamation of World Logic Day by UNESCO, in association with the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences, intends to bring the intellectual history, conceptual significance and practical implications of logic to the attention of interdisciplinary science communities and the broader public.
Remote participation will be available via Zoom. The link will be sent to those who RSVP.
RSVP now: [vardi.eventbrite.com](https://rice.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5b0eed4f789e2674d85a12b0a&id=762c5ac8de&e=abf044c122)
Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 4–6 p.m.
Duncan Hall Rice, McMurtry Auditorium, Room 1055
FREE — Register here
Campus parking: [https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates](https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates)