The Allure of Mechanical Life: Cybernetics, Artificial Life and the New AI

摘要

In The Allure of Mechanical Life Johnston provides a comprehensive survey and history of "machinic life" in its various aspects - cybernetics, artificial life and artificial intelligence. As a young researcher in the area of artificial intelligence (AI), I have enjoyed reading this book to better understand the roadmap of "machinic life" and AI. The book contains eight chapters organised into three sections. The three chapters in Section 1 range from cybernetics to "machinic philosophy". Chapter 1 introduces cybernetics and the new complexity of machines. Chapter 2 discusses the mixing of machines, cybernetics and psychoanalysis. In the last chapter in this section the author uses a new term, "machinic philosophy", to introduce the concept of assemblages, information and chaotic flow.