Not Cheating on the Turing Test: Towards Grounded Language Learning in Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Recent hype surrounding the increasing sophistication of language processing models has renewed optimism regarding machines achieving a human-like command of natural language. Research in the area of natural language understanding (NLU) in artificial intelligence claims to have been making great strides in this area, however, the lack of conceptual clarity/consistency in how ‘understanding’ is used in this and other disciplines makes it difficult to discern how close we actually are. In this interdisciplinary research thesis, I integrate insights from cognitive science/psychology, philosophy of mind, and cognitive linguistics, and evaluate it against a critical review of current approaches in NLU to explore the basic requirements–and remaining challenges–for developing artificially intelligent systems with human-like capacities for language use and comprehension.

Lize Alberts

Doctoral Candidate, Research Fellow

DPhil candidate in Computer Science at the University of Oxford and Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University’s Unit for the Ethics of Technology.