When did I say that the chess program was different to a toaster? I don’t believe it is, so it’s not a thing I’m likely to say.
I don’t think the word ‘understand’ has a meaning that can apply in these situations. I’m not saying the toaster or the chess program understands anything, except in the limited sense that some people might describe them that way, and some won’t. In both cases that concept is entirely in the head of the describer and not in the operation of the device.
I think the claimed inconsistency is in views you ascribe to me, and not those I hold. ‘Understand’ is a category error with respect to these devices. They neither do or don’t. Understanding is something an observer attributes for their own reasons and entails nothing for the subject.
I concur that ascribing understanding to the machines that we have is a category error.
The reason I believe it was brought up is that understanding is not a category error when ascribed to people.
And if we claim to have a plan to create machines that are indistinguishable from people, we likely first need to understand what it is that makes people distinguishable from machines, and that doesn’t seem to be on any of the current AI companies’ roadmap.
I don’t think the word ‘understand’ has a meaning that can apply in these situations. I’m not saying the toaster or the chess program understands anything, except in the limited sense that some people might describe them that way, and some won’t. In both cases that concept is entirely in the head of the describer and not in the operation of the device.
I think the claimed inconsistency is in views you ascribe to me, and not those I hold. ‘Understand’ is a category error with respect to these devices. They neither do or don’t. Understanding is something an observer attributes for their own reasons and entails nothing for the subject.