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Mind Matters

Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence

On the Mind Matters podcast, Discovery Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence considers the implications and misconceptions, the opportunities and limitations, and the applications and challenges presented by intelligent agents and their algorithms. Episode notes and archives available at mindmatters.ai/podcast.

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Avg 4 hr 36 min
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#394
August 21 · 41 hr 30 min
The Algorithmic Mind and the Limits of Computation
On this bingecast archive episode of Mind Matters News, guest host Pat Flynn welcomes Dr. Winston Ewert to the show to discuss Ewert’s chapter in the volume Minding the Brain. In his contribution, titled “The Human Mind’s Sophisticated Algorithm and It
#393
August 5 · 1 hr 26 min
Models of Consciousness: Objections to Integrated Information Theory
On this episode of the Mind Matters News podcast, guest host Pat Flynn welcomes Dr. Robert Marks and Dr. Michael Egnor to the show to critique Integrated Information Theory (IIT), a popular mathematical model that attempts to explain consciousness throug
#392
July 17 · 47 min
How Cognitive Principles Can Inform Better Technological Design
The age of AI is upon us and is already changing the way we conduct our lives. What is the optimal division of tasks between humans and machines? On this episode of Mind Matters News, host Robert J. Marks welcomes psychologist Dr. Joe McDonald to the pod
#391
July 1 · 1 hr 10 min
Beyond the Written Word: AI’s Role in Reaching Oral Cultures
AI is having impact everywhere. But what about global outreach initiatives? And specifically Christian missions? How are those in the mission field using artificial intelligence? On this episode of Mind Matters News, host Robert J. Marks and co-host Jona
#390
June 19 · 1 hr 11 min
Mind Over Models: An Economist’s Take on AI Speculation
In this bingecast installment of the Mind Matters News podcast, host Robert J. Marks welcomes economics professor and author Gary Smith to discuss the hype around artificial intelligence and its impact on the market. Smith is the Fletcher Jones Professor
#389
June 4 · 4 hr 7 min
Donald Wunsch on the Limits of AI and Why It Matters
The hype around AI is reaching fever pitch these days. But never mind predictions of future AI potential. What can it actually do and not do today? On this episode of the Mind Matters News podcast, host Robert J. Marks welcomes Dr. Donald C. Wunsch II to
#388
May 15 · 1 hr 56 min
Peace Through Strength: A U.S. Marine Shares His Story
Major General Bobby Hollingsworth had a distinguished 38-year career as a U.S. Marine fighter pilot and in leadership roles including commanding the Marine Corps Reserve Support Command and serving as vice commander of Marine forces in the Pacific. After
#387
May 6 · 51 min
Change Your Mind, Restructure Your Brain
Is it possible to personally alter the physical structure of your brain? On todays Mind Matters News, host Dr. Michael Egnor sits down with fellow neurosurgeon and author Dr. Lee Warren to discuss his book The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery. Dr.
#386
April 18 · 1 hr 31 min
Mirror Neurons and the Philosophy of Mind
On this bingecast episode of Mind Matters News, host Dr. Robert J. Marks welcomes to the podcast Dr. Mihretu Guta to discuss one of his chapters in the volume Minding the Brain titled “Mirror Neurons, Consciousness, and the Bearer Question.” Dr. Guta dis
#385
April 2 · 1 hr 10 min
Science, God, and Truth: Michael Shermer and Michael Egnor
On this episode of the Mind Matters News podcast, host and neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Egnor welcomes Michael Shermer, historian of science and founder of Skeptic magazine, to discuss Shermer’s new book Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Ma
#384
March 21 · 1 hr 11 min
Why Logic and Cognition Set Us Apart from Machines
Is consciousness the exclusive domain of human beings? Proponents of a view known as integrative information theory argue that AI will eventually achieve that same level of consciousness as systems build up and integrate more knowledge in the future. On
#383
March 4 · 1 hr 36 min
Beyond Imitation: Testing for True Artificial General Intelligence
On this episode of the Mind Matters News podcast, join host Robert J. Marks as he sits down with Dr. Giorgios Mappouras for a deep dive into the philosophical and technical boundaries that define the gap between human minds and silicon machines. The pair
#382
February 20 · 1 hr 27 min
Dr. Mihretu Guta on The Nature of Consciousness
On this archive bingecast episode of Mind Matters News, hosts Robert J. Marks and Angus Menuge welcome Dr. Mihretu Guta to discuss his contribution to the book Minding the Brain. The discussion covers a number of relevant topics, highlighting the profoun
#381
February 9 · length unknown
The Accidental Inventor: An Interview with Hal Philipp
On this episode of Mind Matters News, host Robert J. Marks is joined by Bradley Norris as they welcome Hal Philipp, the man behind the modern touchscreen and a prolific inventor with an impressive 98 U.S. patents. Hal shares his story and some of the les
#380
January 29 · length unknown
The Importance of Human Wisdom in AI Policy
On this episode of Mind Matters News, we’re wrapping up our conversation with Dr. Donald Wunsch on his experiences with AI in his recent article in the IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine about artificial general intelligence. This is the sixt
#379
January 22 · length unknown
How to Navigate the Real and Immediate Risks of AI
While the risk of AI becoming smarter than humans and taking over the world is often discussed, it can also distract us from a more pressing matter: the real-world, right-now risks of AI. On this episode of Mind Matters News, host Robert J. Marks continu
#378
January 15 · length unknown
Will AI Make the World Better or Worse?
If computers and AI took over the world, would we even notice? Today, host Robert J. Marks ponders this question as he continues his conversation with Dr. Donald Wunsch about his experiences with AI and his recent article in the IEEE Computational Intell
#377
January 8 · length unknown
Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the Hype, Limitations, and Ethics
On this episode of Mind Matters News, our conversation continues with Dr. Donald Wunsch on his experiences with AI and his recent article in the IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine about artificial general intelligence. He first reminds us why Artif
#376
January 1 · length unknown
The Ins and Outs of Scaling Up AI: Dr. Donald Wunsch
On this episode of Mind Matters News, we’re continuing our conversation with Dr. Donald Wunsch on his experiences with AI and his recent article in the IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine about artificial general intelligence. This is the seco
#375
Dec 25, 2025 · length unknown
Exploring the Immaterial Mind: Insights from Neuroscience and Thomistic Philosophy
Debate continues on the nature of the mind. Are our minds purely material and comprised only of our physical brains? Does idealism ring true with its views of physical experiences arising solely from a non-physical mind? Or is a dualist position with asp

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