AITEC Podcast

Author: AITEC

Welcome to AITEC Podcast, where we explore the ethical side of AI and emerging tech.We call our little group the AI and Technology Ethics Circle (AITEC). Visit ethicscircle.org for more info. 
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Genres: Philosophy, Science, Society & Culture

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#26 Iwan Williams: Do Language Models Have Intentions?
Friday, 16 January, 2026

In this episode of the AITEC podcast, Sam Bennett speaks with philosopher of mind and AI researcher Iwan Williams about his paper “Intention-like representations in language models?” Williams is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen and received his PhD from Monash University.The conversation explores whether large language models exhibit internal representations that resemble intentions, as distinct from beliefs or credences. Focusing on features such as directive function, planning, and commitment, Williams evaluates several empirical case studies and explains why current models may appear intention-like in some respects while falling short in others. The discussion also considers why intentions matter for communication, safety, and our broader understanding of artificial intelligence.For more, visit ethicscircle.org.