Syllabus
Imitation: April 12
Readings
TBA: May 10
Computers don't grasp meaning in any deep, human sense. From a
computer's point of view, words are meaningless bits of information
processed with speed and precision, but without any genuine
interpretation of content. The interpretation of words is left to
humans. The absence of meaning in computers is not limited
to the domain of words -- it is a widespread limitation of
current computing systems.
We will study new approaches for creating
language processing systems that interpret meanings
in human-like ways. In particular, we will explore
interactions between physically grounded knowledge
representations and goal-directed behavior that provide
the foundation for meaningful language use by machines.
Readings drawn from semiotics, philosophy of mind, artificial
intelligence, and cognitive science.
MAS966: Meaning Machines