Beyond Words: AI Theories and the Nature of Intelligence

This episode looks at three leading theories shaping the future of artificial intelligence. First, it looks at Large Language Models (LLMs), which argue that mastering language is the key to intelligence. Then, it explores the “Thousand Brains” theory, a neuroscience-inspired view that sees intelligence as the product of many cortical columns independently modeling the world through sensory input. Finally, it looks at Joint Embedding Predictive Architecture (JEPA), which focuses on teaching AI to form predictive, abstract representations of its environment. The discussion compares how each approach handles learning, reasoning, and knowledge representation, highlighting their unique strengths and limitations. Ultimately, the episode suggests that true AI may emerge not from one theory alone, but from a synthesis of ideas—reflecting the complex, multi-dimensional nature of intelligence itself.