THE IMITATION GAME REVISITED: QUESTIONING THE METAPHORS WE USE TO UNDERSTAND AI

WIJNAND IJSSELSTEIJN

Biography
Wijnand IJsselsteijn has an active research program on the impact of media technology on human psychology, and the use of psychology to improve technology design. His focus is on conceptualizing and measuring human experiences in relation to digital environments (immersive media, serious games, affective computing, personal informatics) in the service of human learning, health, and wellbeing. Wijnand IJsselsteijn has a background in artificial intelligence and cognitive neuropsychology (MSc, Utrecht University). He obtained his PhD in 2004 on the topic of telepresence. He is scientific director of the interdisciplinary Center for Humans and Technology at TU/e, which explicitly focuses on people- and value-centred perspectives of technology understanding, engineering, and design.

Abstract
In the world of artificial intelligence, metaphors have long been our guiding lights, shaping our perception and understanding of AI systems. From "deep learning" to "neural networks," these metaphors help bridge the gap between complex technology and human comprehension. However, as AI technology advances, it becomes increasingly vital to scrutinize the metaphors we employ, and their implications. The language we use to describe AI and our interactions with artificially intelligent systems, shapes our understanding and the public discourse about what AI systems are, can do, and ought to do. In his talk, Wijnand IJsselsteijn will explore some of the ways in which these metaphors influence our perception of AI and explore whether they still serve as accurate representations. Wijnand IJsselsteijn has an active research program on the impact of media technology on human psychology, and the use of psychology to improve technology design. His focus is on conceptualizing and measuring human experiences in relation to digital environments (immersive media, serious games, affective computing, personal informatics) in the service of human learning, health, and wellbeing. Wijnand IJsselsteijn has a background in artificial intelligence and cognitive neuropsychology (MSc, Utrecht University). He obtained his PhD in 2004 on the topic of telepresence. He is scientific director of the interdisciplinary Center for Humans and Technology at TU/e, which explicitly focuses on people- and value-centred perspectives of technology understanding, engineering, and design.