Possible Session Outlines

• Session 1: The History of A.I. and Robots, , State of the Art Robots, Fog Detectors, 
  • Session 1 Outline
  • Strong A.I. & Weak A.I.
  • Discussion based on reading pages 1-65 in RoboSapiens
  • Definition of words
  • Watch Artificial Intelligence Marvin Minsky video
  • Discussion article pp 100-119 Artificial Minds by Stan Franklin
• Session 2: Intelligent gadgets and robotics, brain-computer links, the assumptions of the advocates of A.I. and thinking things, two kinds of science: naturalistic vs. objective science and A.I., reductionism, the programmers of A.I.
  • Lecture based on reading pages 68-83 in RoboSapiens and pages 1-51 in Abolition of Man  
  • Watch parts of the movie 2001 and 2010
  • Interaction with online A.I. "creature" called Alice at: http://alice.sunlitsurf.com/
• Session 3: The Abolition of Man and the Third Millennium's Effort to Create a Successor using A.I., evolved vs. designed minds, explaining away explanations, morality and machines
  • Lecture based on reading pages 84-233 in RoboSapiens and various pages from The Abolition of Man 
  • Watch parts of the movie the Terminator and the Matrix
• Session 4: The logical consequences of thinking Robosapiens are possible and what if it is possible or isn't possible?
  • Lecture based on readings in RoboSapiens, The Abolition of Man  
  • Watch parts of films about A.I.
• Session 5: Exploring the nature of real intelligence vs. artificial intelligence - human consciousness and artificial consciousness
  • Lecture based on reading hand outs provided the week before about these topics
  • Watch parts of various films
• Session 6: A.I. and love - the film A.I. and the nature of human vs. computer relationships
  • Read hand outs
  • Watch parts of the film A.I. by Steven Spielberg
• Session 7: Review - Have you changed your mind about A.I. and What have You Learned and What does the Future Hold?
  • Read hand outs and review all terms and the way words have been defined and how you now have decided to define them
  • Are there immaterial aspects of intelligence and consciousness, definition of science
  • Watch parts of Star Trek and Consider Commander Data and discuss
  • Watch and discuss Understanding our Senses - film about creating sensations for machines - Rodney Brooks
  • Prepare for Final Exam and for 
• Session 8: The great debate: yes or no to A.I. and the consequences of no and the consequences of yes
  • Presentation of Portfolios and what conclusions you have come to about A.I. what the future holds
  • Final Examination - 500 word in class essay - see above for details