Author

David Ing

Abstract

Generative AI works by analyzing language (or other digital input), and synthesizing outputs. In what ways might system theories help us augment intelligence?

Five ways of knowing were philosophically grounded as inquiring systems.

• "Inquiry is an activity which produces knowledge". C. West Churchman (1971), p. 8
• "An Inquiry System, or IS for short, is a system of interrelated components for producing knowledge on a problem or issue of importance.". Ian Mitroff (1995), p. 29

These ways of knowing not only explain how people can come to understand some ideas as "true", but also can aid in grounding logic(s) towards structuring the validity of findings and conclusions.

This session will:

• trace the development of information processing (i.e. from web search to generative AI);
• outline five ways of knowing, as inquiring systems; and
• review diversity in the way that generative AI is appraoched by a variety of (free, without charge) providers of chat.

Citation

David Ing, “Generative AI and Inquiring Systems: Ways of Patterning and Ways of Knowing”, Systems Thinking Ontario, January 8 2025, https://wiki.st-on.org/2025-01-08.

Content

• [view/download presentation as LibreOffice ODP] (1.1 MB)
• [view/download presentation as PDF] (1 MB)

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