AI as an Epistemic Technology

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Technology
• Artificial Intelligence Studies
• Epistemology

Background:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) encompasses machine learning and large language models.
• AI's role in data science is rapidly expanding.
• The nature of technology is often defined by its purpose and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish AI as primarily an epistemic technology.
• To differentiate epistemic technologies from other technologies.
• To explore the implications of viewing AI through an epistemic lens.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of technology and epistemic technologies.
• Argumentation for AI's unique position as an epistemic technology.
• Review of existing literature on AI philosophy and ethics.

Main Results:

• AI is fundamentally an epistemic technology due to its design and operations.
• AI is uniquely suited for epistemic contexts like inquiry, data manipulation, prediction, and analysis.
• Viewing AI as an epistemic technology has significant ethical and philosophical implications.

Conclusions:

• AI's primary function aligns with epistemic goals, distinguishing it from other technologies.
• Understanding AI's epistemic nature is crucial for addressing issues of explainability, opacity, and trust.
• This perspective informs critical discussions on potential epistemic harms associated with AI.