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Workshop on Philosophy and AI (PHAI) – 3 (第二届哲学与人工智能研讨会 – 3) at Fudan University, Shanghai
Abstracts Title: LLM – The Split-Brainer That Talks Back Zheng Zhang (Director at Amazon Web Services Shanghai AI Lab, Senior Principal Scientist) Abstract: This talk presents a demystifying journey into Large Language Models (LLMs) through both technical exposition and philosophical inquiry. The first half provides an accessible crash course on LLM fundamentals: how next-token prediction transforms text into highdimensional embeddings, how attention mechanisms enable context-aware pattern matching, and how the Transformer architecture orchestrates these components into seemingly intelligent behavior. The second half reveals a fundamental paradox: LLMs exhibit “comprehension without competence.” Drawing on recent empirical findings, I demonstrate how these models can perfectly explain algorithms they cannot execute, teach concepts they cannot apply, and articulate reasoning principles they cannot follow. This split-brain syndrome emerges from three architectural constraints: contaminated input representations that must serve multiple conflicting purposes, the mathematical impossibility of true computation within feedforward networks, and the absence of mechanisms to bridge instruction-following and execution pathways. I argue that this paradox is not a bug but an inevitable feature of the current paradigm. LLMs are massive-scale, multi-level pattern completors that achieve remarkable fluency through sophisticated memorization and retrieval, not through genuine reasoning or computation. While they possess what we might call “general intelligence” (broad capability across domains), they fundamentally lack “generalizable intelligence” (the ability to discover rules and apply them systematically to novel problems). The philosophical implications are profound: we have created entities that can discuss consciousness without experiencing it, explain logic without employing it, and teach mathematics without computing it. These split-brainers that talk back force us to reconsider fundamental questions about the nature of understanding, the relationship between language and thought, and what it means to “know” something. The talk concludes by examining what this tells us about both artificial and human intelligence, and
We are hiring! Project Officer/Assistant Project Officer (at the rank of Clerk I/II) in the School of Humanities (Philosophy)
Project Officer/Assistant Project Officer (at the rank of Clerk I/II) in the School of Humanities (Philosophy) (to commence as soon as possible, on temporary basis until May 31, 2026). Applicants should possess a good Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of relevant work experience. Excellent written and spoken English and Chinese, strong communication, IT and organizational skills are essential. Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience in project management or event organization (e.g. large-scale conferences). The appointees will assist the project team with organising a large-scale conference in Hong Kong that is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2026 (tentative), composing of approximately 300 world renowned scholars, officials and businessmen. The appointee will be required to develop project deliverables, handle daily project administration, and perform other duties as assigned. The appointee will be responsible for: Providing support in managing project-related administrative matters, including coordination of project activities, budget tracking, reimbursements, and reporting; Providing secretarial support for team meetings; Provide on-site support for the conference; Create and maintain website for the conference event; Promotion via social media; Performing other duties as assigned. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a written test and an interview. Those with less experience may be appointed as Clerk II (with a functional title as Assistant Project Officer). A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits. The University only accepts online application for the above post via the HKU recruitment website. Applicants should apply online and upload an up-to-date C.V. Review of applications will start as soon as possible and continue until July 31, 2025, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier. The University is an equal opportunities employer andis committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity
Paris-Summer-School
Philosophy of AI Summer School 2025 Unites Global Scholars in Paris Updated on 5 July 2025 Date: 30 June to 4 July 2025 Venue: University of London in Paris Campus The Philosophy of AI Summer School, held from June 30 to July 4, 2025, at the University of London in Paris campus, brought together a dynamic group of scholars, students, and professionals to explore the philosophical dimensions of artificial intelligence. Co-hosted by the AI & Humanity-Lab@HKU of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Institute of Philosophy of University of London, the five-day program was designed for PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, academics, and also welcomed MA students and professionals with a keen interest in the philosophy of AI. The Summer School featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and facilitators, including: Reuben Adams (UCL) Boris Babic (HKU) Herman Cappelen (HKU) Ophelia Deroy (LMU) Sarah Fisher (Cardiff) Alex Grzankowski (University of London, Institute of Philosophy) Julia Haas (Google DeepMind) Ben Henke (University of London, Institute of Philosophy) Henry Shevlin (Cambridge) Barry Smith (University of London, Institute of Philosophy) Rachel Sterken (HKU) Brian Wong (HKU) Haochen Sun (HKU) Participants engaged in a rich program of lectures, workshops, and poster sessions, where they presented and discussed their own research. Topics ranged from the ethics of AI and machine consciousness to the nature of explanation in cognitive systems and the future of human-AI interaction. This Summer School is a rare opportunity to bring together emerging and established voices in the philosophy of AI. It’s not just about learning from experts, but also about building a community of thinkers who will shape the future of this field. Beyond academic sessions, the event fostered collaboration and networking, encouraging participants to connect with like-minded peers and mentors. The Paris setting added a unique charm, with informal gatherings and evening strolls through the city enhancing the collegial atmosphere.
We are hiring! Post-doctoral Fellow needed for the AI & Humanities Lab
We are currently recruiting a Post-doctoral Fellow to join us under the AI & Humanities Lab, specific requirement are as follows. Should you be interested, please apply through the HKU’s system. Ref.: 532458Work type : Full-timeDepartment : School of Humanities (05200)Categories : Senior Research Staff & Post-doctoral Fellow Applications are invited for appointments as Post-doctoral Fellow in Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (Ref.: 532458), to commence as soon as possible. The initial appointment will be for two years, with the potential for extension for an additional year. Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. degree in relevant fields of philosophy (or related fields) by the time of appointment. The position is open to all areas of specialisation, but applicants with competence in philosophy of AI or philosophy of technology are preferred. The appointment will be affiliated with AI & Humanity-Lab: https://ai-humanity.net. The Post-doctoral Fellow is expected to participate actively in the work of AI & Humanity-Lab. Applicants should submit project proposals (max. 5 pages) that fall within the research centre’s remit. Information about the department can be found at https://philosophy.hku.hk. Enquiries about the duties of the post can be directed to Chair Professor Herman Cappelen (hwcapp@hku.hk). Those who have responded to the previous advertisement (Ref.: 531772) need not re-apply. The University offers a highly competitive salary package, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional benefits include annual leave and medical coverage. At current rates, salaries tax does not exceed 15% of gross income. The University only accepts online applications for the above post. Applicants should apply online and upload an up-to-date C.V., a writing sample of scholarly work, and a project proposal on the philosophy of AI (not exceeding five pages). Shortlisted applicants will be requested to arrange for two references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the post is filled. The University is committed to
26-27 April 2025 – Workshop on Philosophy and AI (PHAI) (第二届哲学与人工智能研讨会) at the Venue Berggruen Institute China Center, No. 54 Yannan Garden, Peking University, Beijing
Host PHAI Program Committee PHAI-2 Organizer Participants Bio Programme Rundown
We are hiring! Post-doctoral Fellow needed for the AI & Humanities Lab
We are currently recruiting a Post-doctoral Fellow to join us under the AI & Humanities Lab, specific requirement are as follows. Should you be interested, please apply through the HKU’s system. Work type : Full-time Department : School of Humanities (05200) Categories : Senior Research Staff & Post-doctoral Fellow The School of Humanities at the University of Hong Kong invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Post-doctoral Fellow in Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, to commence as soon as possible. The initial appointment will be for two years, with the potential for extension for an additional year. Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. degree in relevant fields of philosophy (or related fields) by the time of appointment. The position is open to all areas of specialisation, but applicants with competence in philosophy of AI or philosophy of technology are preferred. The appointment will be affiliated with AI & Humanity-Lab: https://ai-humanity.net. The Post-doctoral Fellow is expected to participate actively in the work of AI & Humanity-Lab. Applicants should submit project proposals (max. 5 pages) that fall within the research centre’s remit. Information about the department can be found at https://philosophy.hku.hk. Enquiries about the duties of the post can be directed to Chair Professor Herman Cappelen (hwcapp@hku.hk). The University offers a highly competitive salary package, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional benefits include annual leave and medical coverage. At current rates, salaries tax does not exceed 15% of gross income. The University only accepts online applications for the above post. Applicants should apply only at the University’s careers site (https://jobs.hku.hk) and upload an up-to-date C.V., a writing sample of scholarly work, and a project proposal on the philosophy of AI (not exceeding five pages). Shortlisted applicants will be requested to arrange for two references. The review of applications will begin immediately
June 30 –July 4, 2025 – University of London in Paris (ULIP)
Join us for the Philosophy of AI Summer School – Paris 2025, co-hosted by the University of Hong Kong Philosophy Department in collaboration with the University of London in Paris (ULIP). Taking place from June 30 to July 4, this event promises a valuable experience at the intersection of philosophy and artificial intelligence. The program features expert lectures and seminars by renowned scholars, including Henry Shevlin (Cambridge), Rachel Sterken, Herman Cappelen, Boris Babic, and Brian Wong from the University of Hong Kong, as well as other esteemed speakers from the University of London and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative learning experience at the forefront of AI philosophy. For application & inquiries, please contact ip@sas.ac.uk
South China Morning Post Highlights Discussion on Deepseek’s Implications
Our recent seminar discussion on Deepseek – Unpacking the Technical, Financial, and Geopolitical Implications, has been published by the South China Morning Post in a feature article. Read the full article: China’s DeepSeek shows US chip controls have failed as AI race ramps up: HKU scholars A video capturing the essence of our discussion has been uploaded to our YouTube Channel.
What Can Philosophers Tell us about AI?
Our Director, Professor Herman Cappelen, author of several books about AI, explains why he believes that AI can think, plan and have emotions, why some people do not want to listen to music created by AI, and why do the philosophers like the film The Matrix. Read the full article here.