I will go the brutal route and argue that, assuming nature’s laws are computable in the computer science sense, we can simulate any given human brain, seeing as it is part of nature. By simulating this particular brain and arguing that the brain is the seat of intelligence in a human we have an AI in our hands thus confirming that AI is possible.
In other words, I think simulating a human brain and the possibility of AI are synonymous. Not necessarily in a strong sense. I realize this is not an academic argument, but might help you.
I will go the brutal route and argue that, assuming nature’s laws are computable in the computer science sense, we can simulate any given human brain, seeing as it is part of nature. By simulating this particular brain and arguing that the brain is the seat of intelligence in a human we have an AI in our hands thus confirming that AI is possible.
In other words, I think simulating a human brain and the possibility of AI are synonymous. Not necessarily in a strong sense. I realize this is not an academic argument, but might help you.
There’s a long road from being possible (= not contradicting the laws of physics) to being probable (in our future).
Indeed. We can make a computer out of hydaulic valves, in principle, but I don’t expect to be playing Halo Reach on it anytime soon.