There are single-celled organisms that act intelligently despite not having (or being) neurons. The slime mold, for example.
What does “intelligence” mean here?
For context, some more about slime moulds. In that thesis is a detailed model of the whole life-cycle of the slime mould, using biochemical investigations and computer modelling to show how all the different stages and the transitions between them happen.
What does it mean, to say that this system is “intelligent”? The word is used for a very wide range of things, from slime moulds (and perhaps even simpler systems?) to people and beyond. What is being claimed when the same word is applied to all of these things?
Put in practical terms, does a detailed knowledge of exactly how the slime mould works help in constructing an AGI? Does it help in constructing more limited sorts of AI? Does it illuminate the investigation of other natural systems that fall within the concept of “intelligence”?
I am not seeing a reason to answer “yes” to any of these questions.
Put in practical terms, does a detailed knowledge of exactly how the slime mould works help in constructing an AGI? Does it help in constructing more limited sorts of AI? Does it illuminate the investigation of other natural systems that fall within the concept of “intelligence”?
I am not seeing a reason to answer “yes” to any of these questions.
Yes, to all of those questions. I don’t think we currently have the AI technology needed to produce something with the intelligence of a slime mold. (Yes, we might be able to, if we gave it magical sensors and effectors, so that it just had to say “go this way” or “go that way”. Remember that the slime mold has to do all this by directing an extremely complex sequence of modifications to its cytoskeleton.) Therefore, having a detailed knowledge of how it did this, and the ability to replicate it, would advance AI.
What does “intelligence” mean here?
For context, some more about slime moulds. In that thesis is a detailed model of the whole life-cycle of the slime mould, using biochemical investigations and computer modelling to show how all the different stages and the transitions between them happen.
What does it mean, to say that this system is “intelligent”? The word is used for a very wide range of things, from slime moulds (and perhaps even simpler systems?) to people and beyond. What is being claimed when the same word is applied to all of these things?
Put in practical terms, does a detailed knowledge of exactly how the slime mould works help in constructing an AGI? Does it help in constructing more limited sorts of AI? Does it illuminate the investigation of other natural systems that fall within the concept of “intelligence”?
I am not seeing a reason to answer “yes” to any of these questions.
Yes, to all of those questions. I don’t think we currently have the AI technology needed to produce something with the intelligence of a slime mold. (Yes, we might be able to, if we gave it magical sensors and effectors, so that it just had to say “go this way” or “go that way”. Remember that the slime mold has to do all this by directing an extremely complex sequence of modifications to its cytoskeleton.) Therefore, having a detailed knowledge of how it did this, and the ability to replicate it, would advance AI.