Can ChatGPT Think?

Augustana University is excited to welcome renowned philosopher and cognitive scientist Dr. David Chalmers to cap off his tour of all 50 states to present a public lecture titled “Can ChatGPT Think?” This free, public event will be held on April 29th at 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 113 of Augustana University’s Froiland Science Complex.

“Generative AI systems such as ChatGPT and its many relatives have taken the world by storm. They show many impressive abilities that would require intelligence if done by humans. But is ChatGPT really intelligent? Can it understand what it says,” says Chalmers. “Is it conscious? Can it think? These are difficult questions that require philosophical analysis. I will address some aspects of these questions here.”

Chalmers is a Professor of Philosophy and Neural Science and co-director of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Consciousness at New York University. He also holds a position as an Honorary Professor of Philosophy at the Australian National University and is co-director of the PhilPapers Foundation.

Chalmers publishes on philosophy of mind, consciousness, and the foundations of cognitive science, physics, and technology, among many other areas. His newest book “Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy” investigates fundamental problems of philosophy in the context of today's new augmented and virtual reality technologies.

This public lecture is the finale in a series of Brain Awareness events hosted by faculty in the Program for Neuroscience at Augustana University -- Dr Alex Kloth (Biology), Dr Lucas Hamilton and Dr Shannon Proksch (Psychology) – in collaboration with Dr Leigh Vicens (Philosophy), and students in the Neuroscience, Biology, and Psychology Club throughout the month of April.

Dr Chalmers’ visit is generously supported by the Mellon Fund, the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network, the International Brain Research Organization, and collaboration between the Augustana University Neuroscience, Biology, Psychology and Religion, Philosophy & Classics departments.