Mind Over Models: An Economist’s Take on AI Speculation

Mind Over Models: An Economist’s Take on AI Speculation

Author: Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence June 19, 2026 Duration: 1:11:09
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 of Economics at Ponoma College and a frequent contributor to Mind Matters News. Smith argues that generative AI, embodied in services like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, exhibits many characteristics of past market bubbles, including excessive hype, lack of profitability, and unrealistic expectations. Smith holds that generative AI models have limited practical economic value. They may be good at finding statistical patterns but struggle to distinguish meaningful, useful correlations from coincidental ones. Smith describes the fundamental challenge of teaching machines true understanding that goes beyond mere pattern recognition. A number of examples and stories are shared throughout. Source

What does it mean to think, to create, or to be conscious in an age of machines? Mind Matters, from the Discovery Institute Center on Natural and Artificial Intelligence, digs into these profound questions without easy answers. This isn't a series of dry technical lectures; it's a thoughtful exploration where technology intersects with philosophy, culture, and the very fabric of society. Each episode examines the real-world impact of intelligent systems, separating hype from reality while considering both their staggering potential and their inherent limitations. You'll hear discussions that go beyond algorithms to ask what these developments reveal about human nature itself. The conversations hosted by the Walter Bradley Center tackle misconceptions, ethical challenges, and the practical applications that are reshaping our world. Tune in for a nuanced perspective that connects the dots between silicon and soul, offering a essential guide to understanding not just how our tools work, but what they mean for our future. This podcast provides a unique space to grapple with the ideas that will define the coming decades.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Mind Matters
Podcast Episodes
Robert J. Marks Remembers Tech Pioneer Walter Bradley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
On today’s episode of Mind Matters News, Dr. Robert J. Marks joins Andrew McDiarmid, host of the ID The Future podcast, to share some of his personal anecdotes and professional insights about Dr. Walter Bradley, a scient…
Exploring Consciousness in Human and Artificial Intelligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Today on Mind Matters News, hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse conclude their four-part conversation with Dr. Joseph Green on the limitations of modern neuroscience. Green is author of a chapter in the volume Minding…
Doug Smith: A Critical Look at Apple’s Virtual Reality Headset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
What happens when you let Big Tech control how you see the world? Apple recently released a new model of the Apple Vision Pro headset. Although it can provide immersive experiences, what are the potential downsides to fu…
Bridging the Gap Between Neuroscience and Philosophy of Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
On this episode of Mind Matters News, hosts Robert J. Marks and Brian Krouse continue their conversation with Dr. Joseph Green on the limitations of cutting-edge neuroscience. In this segment, the focus turns to the phil…
How Humility and Curiosity Can Help Neuroscience Mature [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Modern neuroscience has made some truly amazing advances in recent decades. But even though we can record, map, and even manipulate brain activity in ways that once seemed impossible, we still don’t really understand how…
Recognizing the Divine in Others: More with Dr. Stephen Post [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
If many of us began to practice honoring others in our interactions with them, what change would we see in society? Is it possible to recognize the divine in everyone we meet? On this episode, host Dr. Michael Egnor conc…