The question of whether computers can truly “think” has been a subject of intrigue for many years, and its complexity only seems to grow. Renowned physicist Richard Feynman tackled this topic over four decades ago. In a fascinating lecture, Feynman explored the nuances of artificial intelligence with his trademark insight and wit. He suggested that if we’re asking whether machines can think like humans, the answer is no. However, if we consider whether machines might surpass human intelligence, it depends heavily on our definition of intelligence.
Even today, despite significant advancements, machines still struggle to meet our evolving expectations. Feynman highlighted that, while computers excel in tasks like arithmetic due to their inherent nature, they process information differently from human brains.
Theoretically, we could design a computer to perform calculations in the same slow, error-prone manner as humans, but why would we? It’s better to focus on areas where humans excel over machines, such as complex pattern recognition, like identifying faces across various photographs. However, this is rapidly changing with emerging machine learning technologies. Soon, computers may effortlessly pull up every image of a person on the internet simply by analyzing a single portrait.
Feynman also delved into whether computers could independently discover new ideas and relationships. He mused on the nature of computers and their high-powered, uniquely non-human approaches that can lead to unexpectedly effective solutions. “We are approaching a world of intelligent machines,” he remarked, noting that they reveal the inherent weaknesses of intelligence. Echoing Arthur C. Clarke, who famously stated that advanced technology may appear indistinguishable from magic, Feynman hinted that a highly intelligent machine might also seem somewhat “unintelligent.”
Related Content:
- Sci-Fi Writer Arthur C. Clarke Anticipated the Rise of AI & the Questions It Would Pose (1978)
- The Life & Work of Richard Feynman Explored in a Three-Part Freakonomics Radio Miniseries
- Isaac Asimov on AI’s Potential to Liberate Human Creativity: View His Final Major Interview (1992)
- Richard Feynman’s Guide to Thinking Like a Physicist in Fun to Imagine (1983)
- Stephen Fry on the Potential Dangers of AI with a 70% Risk of Harm
- Richard Feynman’s Method for Distinguishing Science from Pseudoscience (1966)
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @colinmarshall.
