JW

Joseph Weizenbaum

14quotes

Joseph Weizenbaum


Full Name and Common Aliases


Joseph Weizenbaum was an American computer scientist, psychologist, and inventor.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on January 8, 1923, in Berlin, Germany. He passed away on March 5, 2008, at the age of 85.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Weizenbaum held dual citizenship of the United States and Germany. His professional background spanned computer science, psychology, and engineering.

Early Life and Background


Joseph Weizenbaum was born in Berlin to a middle-class family. In 1936, his family fled Nazi Germany for New York City due to persecution by the Nazi regime. He grew up in the United States and developed an interest in mathematics and philosophy at a young age. Weizenbaum earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University in 1943.

Major Accomplishments


Weizenbaum's work in artificial intelligence (AI) led him to develop ELIZA, one of the first chatbots capable of simulating conversation with human users. This achievement earned him recognition within the scientific community for its groundbreaking approach to machine learning and language processing. His work on ELIZA was a key step towards developing more sophisticated AI systems.

Notable Works or Actions


In addition to his development of ELIZA, Weizenbaum published numerous papers on computer science and psychology, covering topics such as human-computer interaction, the ethics of AI, and the impact of technology on society. His work in these areas demonstrated a deep concern for the social implications of emerging technologies.

Impact and Legacy


Joseph Weizenbaum's contributions to computer science had far-reaching effects on the development of artificial intelligence. His work sparked discussions about the potential dangers of AI, including its capacity to manipulate human emotions and create dependency on technology. Weizenbaum's warnings about the risks associated with AI have been echoed by many in the field since his time.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Weizenbaum is remembered for being a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence while also serving as a voice of caution regarding its potential consequences. His work on ELIZA and his concerns about the impact of technology on society have made him a widely quoted figure in discussions around AI, human-computer interaction, and the ethics of emerging technologies.

Weizenbaum's influence extends beyond his technical achievements; he played an important role in shaping public discourse around the risks and benefits associated with advanced technologies. His legacy serves as a reminder that those working on cutting-edge projects should consider not only their immediate goals but also the broader implications of their work for individuals and society as a whole.

Quotes by Joseph Weizenbaum

The salvation of the world depends only on the individual whose world it is. At least, every individual must act as if the whole future of the world, of humanity itself, depends on him. Anything less is a shirking of responsibility and is itself a dehumanizing force, for anything less encourages the individual to look upon himself as a mere actor in a drama written by anonymous agents, as less than a whole person, and that is the beginning of passivity and aimlessness.
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The salvation of the world depends only on the individual whose world it is. At least, every individual must act as if the whole future of the world, of humanity itself, depends on him. Anything less is a shirking of responsibility and is itself a dehumanizing force, for anything less encourages the individual to look upon himself as a mere actor in a drama written by anonymous agents, as less than a whole person, and that is the beginning of passivity and aimlessness.
JW
Putting a computer in front of a child and expecting it to teach him is like putting a book under his pillow, only more expensive.
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Putting a computer in front of a child and expecting it to teach him is like putting a book under his pillow, only more expensive.
JW
I think that children have a power to imagine that is almost magical when compared to the adult imagination, and this is something irrevocable that a child loses when he or she becomes bound by logic. We adults continue to have our children.
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I think that children have a power to imagine that is almost magical when compared to the adult imagination, and this is something irrevocable that a child loses when he or she becomes bound by logic. We adults continue to have our children.
JW
Science promised man power. But, as so often happens when people are seduced by promises of power, the price is servitude and impotence. Power is nothing if it is not the power to choose.
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Science promised man power. But, as so often happens when people are seduced by promises of power, the price is servitude and impotence. Power is nothing if it is not the power to choose.
JW
Being personally acquainted with a number of Waldorf students, I can say that they come closer to realizing their own potential than practically anyone I know.
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Being personally acquainted with a number of Waldorf students, I can say that they come closer to realizing their own potential than practically anyone I know.
JW
A computer will do what you tell it to do, but that may be much different from what you had in mind.
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A computer will do what you tell it to do, but that may be much different from what you had in mind.
JW
The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is responsible. Universes of virtually unlimited complexity can be created in the form of computer programs.
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The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is responsible. Universes of virtually unlimited complexity can be created in the form of computer programs.
JW
Das Ganze ist ein riesiger Misthaufen, der Perlen enthält. Aber um Perlen zu finden, muss man die richtigen Fragen stellen. Gerade das können die meisten Menschen nicht.
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Das Ganze ist ein riesiger Misthaufen, der Perlen enthält. Aber um Perlen zu finden, muss man die richtigen Fragen stellen. Gerade das können die meisten Menschen nicht.
JW
Die Ohnmacht des Einzelnen ist vielleicht die gefährlichste Illusion, die ein Mensch haben kann.
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Die Ohnmacht des Einzelnen ist vielleicht die gefährlichste Illusion, die ein Mensch haben kann.
JW
#powerlessness
What I had not realized is that extremely short exposures to a relatively simple computer program could induce powerful delusional thinking in quite normal people.
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What I had not realized is that extremely short exposures to a relatively simple computer program could induce powerful delusional thinking in quite normal people.
JW
#artificial-intelligence
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