Can AI Truly Perceive the World Like Humans Without Senses?

What Happened

A recent study published in New Scientist explores whether AI systems can genuinely understand objects such as flowers without being able to physically interact with them. While large language models can describe and recognize a wide variety of items, experts argue that true comprehension might require sensory experience such as touch or smell, which current AI lacks. The discussion centers around the limitations of AI models trained on visual and textual data alone and their inability to form the same kind of real-world understanding as humans who use multiple senses to interpret their surroundings.

Why It Matters

The findings emphasize the gap between artificial intelligence and human perception, raising questions about how far AI can imitate human knowledge and awareness. As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, understanding its perceptual limits is essential for developing trustworthy, safe systems. Read more in our AI News Hub