8 Most Controversial Terms in AI, Explained

Overview

Class Central Tips

This is aimed at absolutely anyone interested in AI, from c-suite and software engineers to curious parents and engaged amateurs. No technical background is necessary, as no matter your background you will leave much better informed about key (and controversial) terms in AI. You will learn about 8 of the key terms used in AI - which are bandied around as if everyone should know them. Each term comes with complex and storied histories and implications, relevant to both practitioners and interested onlookers. What does 'stochastic parrot' actually mean, and are LLMs merely parrots? Do language models actually 'reason' and has the idea of 'emergent behaviors' been debunked already? Why is the term 'open source' being replaced with 'open weights' and what on earth is meant by 'artificial general intelligence'? I challenge anyone to leave this short 3-5 hour course without a much more nuanced understanding of the key debates in AI.

Syllabus

Stochastic Parrot

Learn about a controversial label for LLMs, whether it holds up, and what on earth parrots have to do with it.

Emergent Behaviors

Deciding if you think models display emergent behaviors could shape your perspective on AI, so take the time to learn why this term is so controversial.

Open Source

In some quarters, the most controversial term of them all. Here, we mainly focus on the difference between open source and open weights - a key distinction!

The 'Bitter Lesson'

You won’t (I hope) be bitter after learning about the bitter lesson - a seminal insight onto what works best in AI, and why.

Deep Dive - Reasoning

Now we’re getting deep. Reflecting on whether models actually ‘reason’ - and what that word actually means - or just pattern-match, is crucial for anyone interested in using AI.

Deep Dive - Hallucinations (+ Model Biases)

It’s easy to ‘know’ that models hallucinate and are biased, but actually exploring demonstrations on how they are, and how to minimise that, is a whole other matter - a matter we discuss in this deep dive!

'Takeoff' Speeds

‘Takeoff' and 'takeoff speeds' are terms worth learning about, even if they are deeply theoretical, and even if you disagree with the entire notion of a takeoff. The fact that these terms have led to debate even at CEO-level is enough to make it worth grasping their meaning, whichever 'side' you are on.

Artificial General Intelligence

Perhaps the most controversial term of them all. Whatever your stance is, knowing the origins, nuances and key positions on this term will serve you well.