Problem Set 03

Problem Set 03

The Chinese Room Thought Experiment

In preparation for answering this problem, conduct the following online activities:

  1. Have a conversation with ELIZA. [Here is the original paper about ELIZA. (optional)]
  2. Have a conversation with Jabberwacky.
  3. Have a conversation with one of Google's Bots.
  4. Have a conversation with with the oft-mentioned ChatGPT. (Please note that this is optional, as it requires a sign-up.)
  5. Finally, review this deeply unsettling 'conversation' with Bing's ChatGPT. (NY Times article, followed by full transcript.)

In a long essay, i) briefly explain the Chinese Room Thought Experiment and ii) contrast your conversations and explain whether and how the Chinese Room Thought Experiment should have any bearing on your perception of understanding (or not, as the case may be) from the various bots. In light of your conversations, does the Chinese Room Thought Experiment succeed in showing the Turing Test too weak? That is, would it be a mistake to think a machine that passes the Turing Test understands the conversations it's having. Why or why not? Does ChatGPT represent a significant step forward in your perception of understanding? Why or why not? (50)