Idealized cognitive model of the abstract concept “artificial intelligence”

The article attempts to consider an idealized cognitive model of the concept “artificial intelligence”. The methodological basis of the study is the concept and typology of idealized cognitive models introduced by George Lakoff. To analyze the concept of artificial intelligence, metaphorical and metonymic projections were selected from the typology Lakoff proposed. It is shown that the term “artificial intelligence” is of an umbrella nature and is used as a metaphor to denote systems that model intellectual activity. The analysis of the media and social networks shows that a complex idealized cognitive model has been formed to understand the content of the abstract concept “artificial intelligence”, including metaphors of a machine, subject, person, electricity, weapon, assistant, building, student, sports, living being, seasons, space, and goods. Spatial metaphors reflect ideas about the essential characteristics of artificial intelligence systems, and the metaphor of the seasons helps to explain the heterogeneity of the development of the artificial intelligence sphere. Anthropocentric metaphors serve as a means of understanding the activities and functions of systems, as well as the problems they solve. The explanation of the design and learning process is achieved through the use of both technical and biological metaphors. Comparison of models with living beings is especially noticeable in the language of developers. Some identified metaphors can be compatible and form integral images. The analysis of statements by developers of intelligent systems identifies stable images of a student (a child or a young person with abilities who needs to be taught, trained); a pet who is cared for, trained, prepared for exhibitions, tests, competitions. The media actively broadcast images of highspeed cars and new types of weapons. Revealing the differences in the idealized cognitive models of ordinary people and developers can help achieve a unified understanding of the opportunities and threats created by modern intelligent systems. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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