Stephen Wolfram Advocates for Philosophers in AI Research

Mathematician and scientist Stephen Wolfram argues for the integration of philosophy into AI research to tackle the profound questions emerging as AI technology advances.

From Science to Philosophy

Stephen Wolfram, renowned mathematician and scientist, was raised in an environment steeped in philosophy, with his mother being a philosophy professor at Oxford University. While his younger self distanced himself from the subject, Wolfram now recognizes the value of deep philosophical thinking. He believes that incorporating philosophical rigor into AI research could help us better navigate the complex issues that arise as AI continues to evolve.

Wolfram, who gained fame as a child prodigy, published his first scientific paper at 15 and earned his doctorate from Caltech by the age of 20. His illustrious career spans science, mathematics, and computing, with notable achievements including the development of Mathematica, Wolfram Alpha, and the Wolfram Language—a powerful computational programming language.

The Intersection of AI and Philosophy

As AI technology becomes increasingly intertwined with human life, Wolfram notes that the discourse surrounding it is shifting towards philosophical inquiry. He emphasizes that understanding the implications of AI requires more than just technical knowledge; it involves grappling with fundamental philosophical questions.

“The question is what do you think about, and that’s a different kind of question, and it’s a question that’s found more in traditional philosophy than it is in the traditional STEM,” Wolfram explains. "Sometimes in the tech industry, when people talk about how we should set up this or that thing with AI, some may say, ‘Well, let’s just get AI to do the right thing.’ And that leads to, ‘Well, what is the right thing?’” And determining moral choices is a philosophical exercise."

Wolfram recounts his unsettling experiences in discussions with companies deploying AI without thoroughly considering these deeper issues. “The attempted Socratic discussion about how you think about these kinds of issues, you would be shocked at the extent to which people are not thinking clearly about these issues,” he says. “Now, I don’t know how to resolve these issues. That’s the challenge, but it’s a place where these kinds of philosophical questions, I think, are of current importance.”

Science and Philosophy: A Necessary Convergence

Wolfram observes that scientists often struggle with philosophical thinking because science tends to progress incrementally, rather than through paradigm-shifting ideas. “When you talk to scientists, and you talk about big, new ideas, they find that kind of disorienting because in science, that is not typically what happens,” he notes.

However, Wolfram believes that the rise of AI is ushering in a new era where philosophical inquiry will become increasingly crucial. The ethical, existential, and societal questions posed by AI align closely with traditional philosophical debates, marking what he sees as a "golden age" for philosophy.

“I find that the groups of philosophers that I talk to are actually much more agile when they think paradigmatically about different kinds of things,” Wolfram says, reflecting on his discussions with philosophy students at Ralston College in Savannah, Georgia. He has even revisited classic philosophical texts, such as Plato’s "Republic," to better understand the foundational questions that AI raises.

Bridging Philosophy and Technology

During his interactions with students at Ralston College, Wolfram discussed the impending convergence of liberal arts, philosophy, and technology. He sees the need for a modernized political philosophy in the age of AI, drawing parallels to the philosophical inquiries of ancient thinkers like Plato.

Rumi Allbert, a student in the Ralston program with a background in data science, was particularly struck by Wolfram’s deep interest in philosophy. “It’s very, very interesting that a guy like Dr. Wolfram has such an interest in philosophy, and I think that speaks to the volume of importance of philosophy and the humanistic approach to life. Because it seems to me, he has gotten so developed in his own field, [it has evolved] to more of a philosophical question,” Allbert said, adding that Wolfram’s perspective signals a broader need to address AI’s implications beyond just technical considerations.

This perspective is echoed by industry leaders like Ryan Pannell, who I interviewed at the Ai4 2024 conference. Pannell, who has been deeply involved in AI development through his company Kaiju Worldwide, recently advised his son to shift focus from learning Python code to studying philosophy and ethics, and in fact is advising anyone who is looking to get started in AI to consider the ethical and philosophy around the use of AI more than the hard science.

"Six months ago, I told him to study coding, but now I believe that understanding philosophy and ethics will be crucial for moving forward in AI because the AI systems don't do that. We're responsible for their controls," Pannell explained. His advice underscores the growing recognition that as AI technology advances, the importance of ethical and philosophical reflection will only increase.

A Call for Philosophical Engagement in AI

Wolfram’s recognition of the connections between philosophy and technology suggests that it may be time to address AI-related questions in a broader context than merely as mathematical or technical problems. Integrating philosophers into AI discussions could be key to navigating the ethical and existential challenges that lie ahead.