(UB)
JSMBS Department of Medicine || CAS Department of Philosophy
JSMBS Department of Medicine || CAS Department of Philosophy
Romanell Center for Clinical Ethics
and the Philosophy of Medicine
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SPOTLIGHT

Why Machines Will Never Rule The World — Artificial Intelligence Without Fear.

Barry Smith and Jobst Landgrebe are co-authors of Why Machines Will Never Rule The World — Artificial Intelligence Without Fear (Routledge 2022) The three questions central to this book are:
– What are the essential marks of human intelligence?
– What is it that researchers are trying to do when they talk of achieving ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI)?
– To what extent can AI be achieved?

The core argument is that an artificial intelligence with powers of a sort that would equal or exceed human intelligence is for mathematical reasons impossible. The reasons are that

1. intelligence of this sort is a capability of a complex dynamic system (your brain), and such systems cannot be modelled mathematically in a way that yields exact predictions;

2. but only what can be modeled mathematically in this way can be engineered to operate inside a computer.

There is a great deal which AI can achieve that will be of benefit to mankind; but it does not include the work that a human intelligence can do; it does not include AI systems more powerful than humans; and it does not include AI systems which are ‘evil’ in any sense of this word.

One consequence of our argument is that much of what is discussed in the wider world concerning the potential of AI to bring about radical changes in the very nature of human beings and of the human social order is founded on an unfortunate error.

Romanell Lectures on Medical Ethics and Philosophy

For over two decades, the Center has hosted the Romanell Lectures on Medical Ethics and Philosophy.

MESSAGE FROM JACK FREER REGARDING THE THIRD TUESDAY LECTURE SERIES

For more than six years, the UB Romanell Center (née Center for Clinical Ethics) has presented a monthly noon lecture series on topics ranging from clinical ethics to research ethics and philosophy of medicine. As of Spring 2018, we have 'retired' the Third Tuesday Lecture Series. We will retain, however, the practice of bringing in notable speakers from out of town.

In fact, it is our goal to have two conferences each year, one in the fall and one in the spring).  The day and time for those is still under discussion.

We are grateful for the attendance and support many of you have provided for this series.  I'd be delighted to entertain suggestions for outside speakers, or other bioethics projects you would like to discuss.  The Romanell Center will continue to host regular conferences and seminars, including the Governor's Lecture series.

Thanks again for your support and don't hesitate to contact mewith comments or questions.

Jack Freer
jfreer@buffalo.edu

Spring 2018

All Lectures: Third Tuesday, 12:00 Noon, at locations listed on the UB Medical Campus.

January 16, 2018
Stephen Kershnar
 "On what basis should medical schools admit students?"
 CTRC 5019

February 20, 2018
Harvey Berman
 “When, if ever, is it permissible for a physician to assist in a patient’s death?”
CTRC 5019

March 20, 2018
Phil Reed
 “Does Morphine Kill?: Opioids and Double Effect at the End of Life”
JSMBS, Room 6128, 955 Main St.

April 17, 2018
Peter Koch
“The good life for patients with psychiatric disorders”
CTRC, Room 7002

May 15, 2018
Joseph Fins (Cornell)
"Covert Conscious in Severe Brain Injury: Clinical and Ethical Challenges”
CTRC, Room 5019

June 19, 2018
Dan Miori
"Applying the ethics of belief to medical decision-making in a big data era"
Location TBA

Also on this page:

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

Getting to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

Learn more about parking and transportation options
UB Medical Campus. UB Medical Campus.

BGMC: Buffalo General Medical Center

CTRC: Clinical and Translational Center

RPCCC: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

OCH: Oishei Children's Hospital

JSMBS: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Past Lectures on Medical Ethics and Philosophy, 2011 to 2017

  • Sean Philpott, PhD, Union Graduate Program in Bioethics. "Gonorrhea, Guatemala and Gung-Ho Researchers: The Scandalous History of Research Ethics." 10/17/11.
  • Miriam Shuchman, MD, University of Toronto: "Doing research on a vulnerable population: the case of psychotic individuals." 04/16/12
  • Ana Iltis, PhD, Wake Forest: "'Research ethics consultation in a clinical and translational science setting."​ 06/18/12.
  • Jim Lavery, MSc, PhD, Univ Toronto, "Re-thinking the ethical foundations of community engagement in research"​ 03/19/13
  • D. Alan Shewmon, MD, UCLA, "Vegetative State: Clinical and Ethical Update" 08/20/13
  • Miriam Shuchman, MD, UB, U Toronto, "Research Collaborations Between High- and Low-income Countries -- equity, ethics, and Ebola research"  10/21/14
  • Lisa Lehman, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School, "High Value Care and the Physician-Patient Relationship" 11/18/14
  • James DuBois, DSc PhD, Washington Univ St. Louis, "Responding to Wrongdoing in Research" 5/19/15
  • Timothy Quill, MD, Univ of Rochester, "Last Resort Options for Intractable Suffering: What is possible in New York now and in the future?" 12/15/15
  • David Koepsell, JD, PhD, Mexico Comisión Nacional de Bioética, "The Blockchain and Personal Genomics: tracking rights and responsibilities securely" 9/20/16
  • Miriam Shuchman, MD, University of Toronto, "Narrative & Ethics: The Story of Ebola Treatment for Sierra Leone's Doctors" 11/15/16
  • David Limbaugh, "The Harm of Disorder as Harm in the Damage Sense", November 21, 2017
  • Tim Madigan, "Patrick Romanell: Pioneer in Medical Ethics”, December 19, 2017