The Old Brain: A Neuroscientist Explains Why We Need It

a diagram of the old brain and the neocortex

Do you know how your brain processes information? What role do the primitive parts of your brain play in your everyday life? In A Thousand Brains, neuroscientist Jeff Hawkins explores the relationship between the Old Brain and the neocortex. He explains how these two parts work together to shape our understanding of the world and enable intelligent behavior. Continue reading to discover how your ancient brain structures influence your modern thoughts and actions.

Determined: Robert Sapolsky Argues for Life Without Free Will

A young bearded man in a cozy living room sitting on a couch and thoughtfully reading a book

Do we have free will, or is everything predetermined? What difference does it make? In Determined, Robert Sapolsky says that decades of research have led him to two conclusions. First, people do not have free will. Second, accepting this fact will empower us to create a better world for everyone. Read on for an overview of this book that deals with a matter that scientists, philosophers, and theologians have been debating for millennia.

How Cortical Columns Act as Mini-Brains (and Could Inform AI)

A diagram of two neurons with cell nucleus, synapse, and dendrites illustrate what happens inside cortical columns

Do you understand how your brain processes information? What if your brain was actually made up of thousands of mini-brains working together? In A Thousand Brains, neuroscientist Jeff Hawkins introduces the concept of cortical columns. These are small units in the brain that act like mini-brains, each processing information and making predictions. Hawkins explains how these columns work together to create our complex cognitive abilities. Read more to learn how your brain might be more intricate than you ever imagined.

Our Abstract Thinking Ability & the Science Behind It

A young thoughtful man in profile with a cityscape in the background illustrates our abstract thinking ability

How does your brain process abstract concepts? How does our ability to think abstractly shape our understanding of the world? In his book A Thousand Brains, neuroscientist Jeff Hawkins seeks to explain our incredible abstract thinking ability. He proposes that our brain uses similar mechanisms for both concrete and abstract thought. Continue reading to explore the complex mysteries of abstract thinking.

Jeff Hawkins: AI Structures Should Mimic the Neocortex

A human-like robot structure with an exposed brain and nerves illustrates Jeff Hawkins’s AI ideas

What’s the future of artificial intelligence? How can our understanding of the human brain revolutionize AI? According to Jeff Hawkins, AI development based on his Thousand Brains Theory could lead to exciting advancements. He proposes that AI systems should mimic the structure and function of the brain’s neocortex. Read on to explore how Hawkins’s ideas might influence the future of AI.

4 Theories of Free Will Based on Science (+ Counterarguments)

A thinking young man with a thought bubble that says "Free Will?" inside of it illustrates theories of free will

Are your choices truly your own? Does science prove that free will is just an illusion? In his book Determined, Robert Sapolsky explores various theories of free will and presents compelling counterarguments. He addresses four scientific perspectives on free will, including compatibilism, chaoticism, emergent complexity, and quantum indeterminacy. Prepare to challenge your beliefs about decision-making and human behavior as we examine these thought-provoking theories.

The Thousand Brains Theory: Jeff Hawkins Explains

Many tiny brains and one large brain illustrates the Thousand Brains theory

Are your thoughts the result of thousands of tiny brains voting? What if your sense of self is actually an illusion created by these mini-minds? In A Thousand Brains, Jeff Hawkins presents a groundbreaking theory about how our brains function. He proposes that the neocortex consists of thousands of cortical columns, each acting as a mini-brain. These columns work together to create our complex cognition and awareness. Read on to learn about the Thousand Brains theory and see how it could revolutionize our understanding of human intelligence.

Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust

A woman reading a book while sitting at a desk with a computer on it

Is AI a cornucopia that could free the human race from drudgery? Or will AI bring about the end of the world as we know it? Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize every aspect of the way we live. AI’s future applications could be enormous—but only if we can develop machine intelligence that can accurately and reliably carry out its tasks. Read on for an overview of Rebooting AI: Building Artificial Intelligence We Can Trust by Gary Marcus and Ernest Davis.

AI Hype: How to Sort Through the Fantasies & Exaggerations

a ChatGPT conversation in which ChatGPT admits it's not as powerful as one might think illustrates AI hype

Is AI really as advanced as we think it is? Are we overestimating its capabilities? In their book Rebooting AI, Gary Marcus and Ernest Davis explore the gap between AI hype and reality. They discuss how narrow AI differs from the strong AI we often imagine. The authors also explain why we tend to overestimate AI’s abilities. Keep reading to discover the truth behind AI’s current capabilities and the potential risks of relying too heavily on narrow AI systems.

What Is Narrow AI, and How Does It Work? (Rebooting AI)

a cartoon drawing of a woman in an office using a chatbot on a desktop computer illustrates the question What is narrow AI?

What is narrow AI? How does it operate? How does it differ from true intelligence? In their book Rebooting AI, Gary Marcus and Ernest Davis explore the state of artificial intelligence. They explain how narrow AI works, its benefits, and its shortcomings. The authors explain the mechanics of neural networks and machine learning, highlighting their widespread applications and limitations. Keep reading to uncover the fascinating details behind today’s technology and its potential future.