Can Thinking Machines and Humans Understand Each Other?

Masahiko Nakahno (Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

People have questions. This is the beginning of academic inquiry. “What is this?” is the most fundamental question. This is how people acquire concepts one by one. By observing a certain creature, we come to understand what a cat is, and we feel we understand what a dog is. However, it is difficult to explain the difference in words. But being able to explain something is not necessarily essential to understanding it. Conversely, just because you can explain it does not mean you truly understand it. Explanation and understanding are two different things.

The next stage is to ask, “Why is this the way it is?” This question of “why” does not arise until you understand the “what.” Why are dogs and cats different? What is the difference between humans and monkeys? Why does a ball fly when you throw it? Why does a light bulb glow when an electric current passes through it? Why do things burn? Why is it dark at night? People have learned many things from these countless “whys.” And they have learned to explain them. Those who hear the explanations, in turn, learn about these things. While words are used for explanations, other tools such as formulas and diagrams are also used. Tools are necessary for thinking. Words, formulas, and diagrams are the three tools of thought.

Humans are greedy creatures and tend to want to make things easier for themselves. Carrying heavy objects is tiring, so we want an easier way. Doing calculations is tedious, so we want a machine to do it. This is how we think. In this way, we have created many convenient things. As a result, technology advances. The desire for an easier life is the driving force of technology. People want an easy life and like to have fun.

There are many things that bring people joy, but first comes the joy of knowing. Next is the joy of understanding, and then the joy of discovery. We are able to continue learning because of this joy. To be honest, there is not much joy in solving a given problem with an obvious answer. The joy is much greater when you solve a problem you previously did not understand. People who feel such joy are the ones who become researchers.

I am conducting research based on the idea that it would be interesting to connect humans and machines. I believe there are many ways to connect them. If we can electrically capture signals from the brain's neurons, we can create machines that move just by thinking. Will we eventually be able to create a machine that can understand what a person is thinking?