Deep Learning: Shifting the Telos from ‘Singularity’ to ‘Perception’

Aditya Nayak

Abstract

​This paper seeks to undertake a philosophical enquiry of Artificial Intelligence. The paper specifically deals with Deep Reinforcement Learning, and Neural Networks. 

The first half of the paper shall discuss the ontology of the field of Artificial Intelligence where the discussion is primarily on the methodology used for AI while trying to locate it in the space of scientific evolution in the vocabulary of smooth and striated Space, as conceptualized by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari.

The second part of the presentation undertakes a philosophical understanding of the process of AI, i.e. the three sequential steps in developing an AI program for iterative learning and implementation, namely- representation, evaluation and optimization. This shall prepare the discussion for the vocabulary of ‘virtuality’, and ‘perception’; concepts given by Henri Bergson, and Deleuze and developed further by Brian Massumi. The presentation concludes with a prescriptive argument towards solving the problem faced by Deep Learning in understanding human subjectivity, reason, emotions, and how this can be resolved by changing the telos from ‘singularity’ to ‘perception’.

Contents.

1. Introduction

2. Cybernetics and Bionics Debate

3. Smooth Space and Striated Space

4. Deep Reinforcement Learning

5. Neural Networks

6. From ‘Singularity’ to ‘Perception’

7. Expected Effects and Social Contribution