Chapter 3: What is AI? 3.1. Perspective: Human-Like Reasoning “The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence such as, visual perception, speech recognition, learning, decision-making, and natural language processing.” Broad cultural awareness of AI may be traced to the landmark 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey”—in which the “Heuristicallyprogrammed Algorithmic” computer, or “HAL,” converses with astronaut Frank. HAL helps Frank pilot the journey through space, a job that Frank could not do on his own. However, Frank eventually goes outside the spacecraft, HAL takes over control, and this does not end well for Frank. HAL exhibits human-like behaviors, such as reasoning, talking, and acting. Like all applications of AI, HAL can help humans but also introduces unanticipated risks—especially since AI reasons in different ways and with different limitations than people do. The idea of “human-like” is helpful because it can be a shorthand for the idea that computers now have capabilities that are very different from the capabilities of early edtech applications. Educational applications will be able to converse with students and teachers, co-pilot how activities unfold in classrooms, and take actions that impact students and teachers more broadly. There will be both opportunities to do things much better than we do today and risks that must be anticipated and addressed. The “human-like” shorthand is not always useful, however, because AI processes information differently from how people process information. When we gloss over the differences between P a g e | 20
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