UAF philosophy professors to explore AI, language and knowledge

As artificial intelligence enters everyday life, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Philosophy invites the community to two lectures on what AI means for knowledge, language and human identity.

The talks will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. on consecutive Fridays, March 27 and April 3, in Schaible Auditorium. They will also be available online via Zoom.

Recent conversations across campus and beyond have shown a growing interest in how AI is reshaping creative work, knowledge production and human communication. The lectures invite students, faculty and community members to explore some of the oldest philosophical questions through the lens of one of the newest technologies.

On March 27, associate professor Eduardo Wilner will examine the surprising relationship between language and artificial intelligence. The lecture explores the possibility that language behaves like a memetic organism that evolved alongside the human brain.

On April 3, associate professor Seth Jones will turn to one of philosophy's oldest texts, Plato's "Meno," to examine one of today's newest challenges. As society increasingly relies on AI to answer questions, Jones argues, it is worth asking why knowledge matters in the first place.

Join the March 27and April 3events via Zoom.

For more information, visit the UAF Department of Philosophy website.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Eduardo Wilner, [email protected]; Seth Jones, [email protected]

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