Tolle Lege: An Augustinian Journal of Philosophy and Theology

The investigation into the interdisciplinary nature of anthropology with other sciences, such as epistemology, raises serious theoretical questions, particularly when “knowledge” is attributed to Artificial Intelligence (AI) or AI systems, which are products of human invention. The attribution of knowledge to AI and the presumption of an AI epistemology make one ask whether AI machines truly possess knowledge as human beings and how AI epistemology influences human behaviour. These preoccupations should interest two disciplines (epistemology and anthropology). The study of Anthropology reveals that knowledge is one of the qualities that differentiates human beings from other creatures. The science that investigates the certainty of human knowledge is called epistemology. In this study, I argue that “knowledge”, a special quality of human beings, when applied to AI, refers to the functions by which the designer intends it to influence other subjects. One can conceive of AI epistemology as “enabled knowledge” that influences human conduct. If we hold on to the traditional philosophy of knowing, then we lose sight of how AI epistemology influences human attitudes and comportments. However, openness to formal philosophy of knowing allows us to study and understand AI epistemology. First, I will give theoretical foundations on how AI epistemology controls human behaviour. Second, I will describe AI knowledge as “intention” to control human behaviour. Third, I will present “glitch epistemology”. Finally, I will explain some philosophical implications of using AI to control human behaviour.

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