Robert J. Marks II

Director, Senior Fellow, Walter Bradley Center for Natural & Artificial Intelligence

Archives

An Excerpt from Chapter Two of Non-Computable You

Robert J. Marks
November 3, 2022
What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks is now available in audiobook form. Listen now to an excerpt from the second chapter as read by Larry Nobles. Will machines someday replace attorneys, physicians, computer programmers, and world leaders? What about composers, painters, and novelists? Will tomorrow’s supercomputers duplicate and exceed humans? Are we just wetware, natural computers doomed to obsolescence by tomorrow’s ultra-powerful artificial intelligence? Additional Resources Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Robert J. Marks at AmazonRobert J. Marks at Discovery.org Podcast …

Preparing Students to Work in an Artificial Intelligence World

Robert J. Marks and Keri Ingraham
October 26, 2022
Technology innovations are rapidly changing the nature of work. Advancements in artificial intelligence are especially transforming the workforce landscape at an accelerating rate. Jobs of tomorrow will not resemble those of decades past, nor even those of today.

Appropriate Technology: Solar Powering Hospitals, Orphanages & Schools

Robert J. Marks
October 20, 2022
Under normal conditions only about 30% of the entire country of Haiti has physical connection or access to the electricity grid. Electrical engineer Brian Thomas and environmental engineer Kayla Garrett work for a small nonprofit called JustEnergy, which works in northern Haiti creating solar energy systems to power hospitals, clinics, schools, and orphanages to combat this lack of access to the electrical grid. They continue their discussion with host Robert J. Marks about energy availability in Haiti. Additional Resources JustEnergy website: https://justiceandmercy.energy/Support JustEnergy via Venmo: JizEnejiJustEnergy Mailing Address:JustEnergy1 Bear PlacePO Box 60003Waco, TX 76798 Images from JustEnergy’s work in Haiti Podcast …

Appropriate Technology: The Haitian Energy Problem

Robert J. Marks
October 13, 2022
Not all countries need the latest technologies. Those in developing countries don’t need high powered computers or the latest car from Tesla. They have more fundamental concerns like how do I feed my family tomorrow? Where do I get clean water? And where can I get power and energy? This effort of supplying needed technology is referred to as appropriate technology. Robert J. Marks discusses technology in Haiti with electrical engineer Brian Thomas and environmental engineer Kayla Garrett who work for a small nonprofit called JustEnergy, which works in northern Haiti creating solar energy systems for hospitals, clinics, schools, and orphanages. Additional Resources JustEnergy website: https://justiceandmercy.energy/Support JustEnergy via Venmo: JizEnejiJustEnergy Mailing …

Get a Sneak Peek of the New Non-Computable You Audiobook

Robert J. Marks
October 6, 2022
Will machines someday replace attorneys, physicians, computer programmers, and world leaders? What about composers, painters, and novelists? Will tomorrow’s supercomputers duplicate and exceed humans? Are we just wetware, natural computers doomed to obsolescence by tomorrow’s ultra-powerful artificial intelligence? Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks is now available in audiobook form. Listen now to an excerpt from the first chapter as read by Larry Nobles. Additional Resources Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Robert J. Marks at AmazonRobert J. Marks at Discovery.org Podcast …

Modern Bitcoin’s Surprising Lesson About Ancient Scripture

It turns out there’s a striking parallel between the historical record of scripture and the blockchain ledger
Robert J. Marks
September 25, 2022
This article was published in The Stream (September 13, 2022) and is republished with permission. Can we trust the authenticity of the New Testament scriptures? Trust is foundational in the acceptance of scripture. There’s an interesting lesson to learn from a very modern system of trust: money. Even Bitcoin, believe it or not. An Exchange of Trust We’ll start with old-fashioned familiar money. Why is a twenty dollar bill worth $20? It’s just a small sheet of paper, after all. The answer is trust. We trust the piece of paper has value because its worth is backed by the United States government. We also trust that Walmart will give us $20 worth of Doritos if we give them a twenty dollar bill. The cashier might look at us funny, but there’s an exchange of trust …

School Shooters, the AI Church, and Patents

Robert J. Marks
September 22, 2022
Walter Bradley Center Director and Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks discusses artificial intelligence and predicting school shootings with John Catsimatidis on The Cats Roundtable. He talks about religions based on artificial intelligence and artificial general intelligence with David Krieger on The Power Hour. Finally, he examines the idea of issuing patents to AI with Pastor Greg Young on Chosen Generation Radio. These interviews are all part of the continuing press tour for his new book Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will. Additional Resources Robert J. Marks at Discovery.orgNon-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Robert J. Marks at Amazon.comJohn Catsimatidis at The Cats RoundtableDavid Krieger at …

Top Gun, HAL 9000 and Jobs of the Future

Robert J. Marks
September 15, 2022
Walter Bradley Center Director and Mind Matters podcast host Robert J. Marks continues the press tour for his book Non-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will. He discusses artificial intelligence, drone technology, and the movie Top Gun: Maverick with Michael Medved on his nationally syndicated talk show. Then, he talks about the job market and intelligent computers (like HAL 9000 from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey) with Mark Hahn on KSCJ in Sioux City, Iowa. Additional Resources Robert J. Marks at Discovery.orgNon-Computable You: What You Do That Artificial Intelligence Never Will by Robert J. Marks at Amazon.comMichael MedvedTop Gun: Maverick at IMDbMark Hahn at KSCJ2001: A Space Odyssey at IMDbHAL 9000 Podcast …

Staking and Liquidity on Web3

Robert J. Marks
September 8, 2022
Like gold, cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin is mined. Gold becomes harder and harder to find as it is mined. In the same way, as the supply of a cryptocurrency increases, computers have to solve harder and harder problems to be awarded cryptocurrency. Staking is a is a new approach that replaces mining and reduce costs. How does it work? Adam Goad, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Dr. Robert J. Marks discuss staking, liquidity, and decentralized finance. Additional Resources Adam Goad at IEEE XploreDr. Austin Egbert at IEEE Xplore”Just As Cryptocurrencies Went Mainstream — a Huge Collapse!” by Jonathan Bartlett at Mind Matters NewsEthereum 2.0Tokenomics Podcast …

When Should AI Art Be Protected by Copyright?

Headlines read that AI has recently won an art contest. But what is art?
Robert J. Marks
September 8, 2022
Damien Hirst cut a cow and calf each lengthwise into two halves and displayed them in four separate baths of formaldehyde in clear display tanks. The title of the creation, “Mother and Child Divided,” is a pun. The cow and calf were cut in two and were displayed physically separated. “Mother and Child Divided” in two ways. Get it? Hee hee. Is this art? Apparently so. The macabre bifurcated bovine creation won top place in the 1995 Turner Prize art competition. This simple example reveals that, like judging the palatability of raw oysters, ranking the quality of art is highly subjective. Jason Allen entered a piece entitled “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial” and took home the first-place prize at Colorado State Fair’s fine arts competition …

What Is Decentralized Finance?

Robert J. Marks
September 1, 2022
When you pay Uber for a ride, or anybody else, you use a bank or a third party like PayPal. What if you could pay the Uber driver directly? Decentralized finance uses blockchain to establish trust and security without government regulations. Is decentralized finance the way of the future? Adam Goad, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Dr. Robert J. Marks discuss decentralized finance, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. Additional Resources Adam Goad at IEEE XploreDr. Austin Egbert at IEEE Xplore”Just As Cryptocurrencies Went Mainstream — a Huge Collapse!” by Jonathan Bartlett at Mind Matters NewsEtherscan.ioAmerican Kingpin at Amazon.com”Blockchain hackers stole nearly $1.3 billion in Q1 2022” at AtlasVPNJust CubesStablecoins Podcast …

Animal Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence

Robert J. Marks
August 25, 2022
Did you know that animals have built-in algorithms? Some of these amazing algorithms allow animals to migrate to new places and navigate back to previous locations. Insects also have a wide variety of fascinating social behaviors. Where did they come from? Eric Cassell, author of Animal Algorithms, discusses animal algorithms, artificial intelligence, instincts, and irreducible complexity with Robert J. Marks. Additional Resources Buy Animal AlgorithmsAbout Eric CassellIntroduction to PolarizationThe Monarch ButterflyThe Homing Pigeon during World War IThe Homing Pigeon during World War II“EMPs Could Combat Vast Drone Swarms Better Than Weapons” at Mind Matters News.“The Most Promising Defense Against Militarized Drone Swarms” at Mind Matters News.“About Orphan Genes — …

The NFT Anti-Bubble

Robert J. Marks
August 18, 2022
When new technology is introduced, there is often a buildup of incredible hype. But eventually, people are going to recognize the limitations of the new technology and it can become irrelevant. Where are NFTs on this “hype curve” and will they continue to exist? Adam Goad, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Dr. Robert J. Marks discuss non-fungible tokens, the economy, and decentralization. Additional Resources Adam Goad at IEEE XploreDr. Austin Egbert at IEEE Xplore”Just As Cryptocurrencies Went Mainstream — a Huge Collapse!” by Jonathan Bartlett at Mind Matters NewsNon-Computable You by Robert J. Marks at Amazon.comOpenSea NFT MarketplaceMakerDAOHelium Blockchain Podcast …

What Are NFTs?

Robert J. Marks
August 11, 2022
What’s the big deal with non-fungible tokens (NFTs)? Is it worth it to invest in NFTs? How does copyright work with NFTs? Adam Goad, Dr. Austin Egbert, and Dr. Robert J. Marks discuss non-fungible tokens, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. Additional Resources Adam Goad at IEEE XploreDr. Austin Egbert at IEEE Xplore”Just As Cryptocurrencies Went Mainstream — a Huge Collapse!” by Jonathan Bartlett at Mind Matters NewsERC-1155 Multi-Token Standard at ethereum.org.American Kingpin by Nick Bilton at Amazon.comEtherscanOpenSea NFT Marketplace Podcast …

Web3: The Next Generation of the Internet

Robert J. Marks
August 4, 2022
Futurist George Gilder forecasts that decentralization of the web is going to be the future of the internet. Data will become more personalized and stored on your local computer instead of in the cloud and companies like Google will have to figure out some way to adjust. Adam Goad and Dr. Austin Egbert discuss blockchain, Web3, decentralization, and the metaverse with Dr. Robert J. Marks. Additional Resources Adam Goad at IEEE XploreDr. Austin Egbert at IEEE Xplore”Just As Cryptocurrencies Went Mainstream — a Huge Collapse!” by Jonathan Bartlett at Mind Matters News Podcast …

Who Controls the Tech?

Robert J. Marks and Andrew McDiarmid
July 21, 2022
Technology companies spend a lot of money trying to determine the best way to hook customers on their products. They have tremendous influence, but you have the final say. Andrew McDiarmid discusses technology, influence, and how to reset your technology use with Robert J. Marks. Additional Resources Andrew McDiarmid’s websiteAndrew McDiarmid at Discovery.orgHow to Glorify God with Your Technology video at YouTubeJacques EllulThe Secret Scheme of Screens – Mind Matters Podcast with Doug Smith and Andrew McDiarmidHow to Sever Big Tech’s Screens – Mind Matters Podcast with Doug Smith and Andrew McDiarmidIntentional: How Screens Secretly Shape Your Desires and How You Can Break Free Podcast …

Should AI Be Granted Patents on the Designs It Helps Develop?

That’s a current argument before the US Court of Appeals
Robert J. Marks
July 20, 2022
Artificial intelligence (AI) should no more be given a patent on an invention than my word processor should be granted a copyright on the article I’m writing. Yet the US Appeals Court has recently been told: should be considered the inventor on patent applications covering a beverage container based on fractal geometry and a light beacon that flashes in a new way.Blake Britten, “Artificial intelligence can be a patent ‘inventor,’ U.S. appeals court told” at Reuters (June 6, 2022) Like bulldozers, electricity, and nuclear power, AI is a tool. Make no mistake, AI is a powerful and potentially dangerous tool. But like my word processor. it ultimately does only what it is instructed to do. Here is a fundamental way AI is used as a tool in the design of …

Weaving the Technology of Our Lives

Robert J. Marks and Andrew McDiarmid
July 14, 2022
We have the ability to choose how to weave technology into our lives. How can we use technology in a healthy way? What are the consequences of being always connected and having everything available instantaneously? Andrew McDiarmid discusses technology, digital wellness, and freedom with Robert J. Marks. Additional Resources Andrew McDiarmid’s websiteAndrew McDiarmid at Discovery.orgHow to Glorify God with Your Technology video at YouTubeEtymology at Merriam-WebsterJacques Ellul Podcast …

AI: The Shadow of Frankenstein Lurks in the Uncanny Valley

The fifth and final excerpt from Non-Computable You (2022), from Chapter 6, focuses on the scarier AI hype
Robert J. Marks
July 12, 2022
Wrapping AI in an impressive physical package can magnify the perceived impact of new technology. Doing so uses seductive optics. The confusing of AI packaging with AI content was evident in media excitement about a Buddhist robot who delivers messages to the faithful. “The world’s first sutra-chanting android deity, modeled after Kannon the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, was introduced to the public last week,” the report reads. The robot can “move its eyes, hands, and torso, make human-like gestures during its speech, and brings its hands together in prayer. A camera implanted in the left eye to focus on a subject gives the impression of eye contact.”1 Technologically speaking, nothing special is happening here. The messages from the Buddhist robot are …

Artificial Intelligence, Worshipped as God, Is No Ordinary Deity!

Not only will we be reborn into new, immortal silicon bodies but rules regarding theft don’t seem to apply anymore…
Robert J. Marks
July 10, 2022
This article was published in The Stream (July 6, 2022) under the title “The Church of Artificial Intelligence of the Future” and is republished with permission. There is a church that worships artificial intelligence (AI). Zealots believe that an extraordinary AI future is inevitable. The technology is not here yet, but we are assured that it’s coming. We will have the ability to be uploaded onto a computer and thereby achieve immortality. You will be reborn into a new, immortal silicon body. Of course, through salvation in Jesus Christ, Christianity has offered a path to immortality for over two thousand years. Someday, we are told, software will write better and better AI software to ultimately achieve a superintelligence. The superintelligence will become …