Conscious AI: Are We Already Among the Slightly Aware?
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Chapter 1: The Emergence of Conscious AI
Recent discussions in the realm of artificial intelligence have raised alarming possibilities. Ilya Sutskever, a prominent figure in AI, has expressed concerns that "conscious AI" could already exist. Although he does not provide concrete evidence, he speculates that some of today's most advanced neural networks might possess a degree of consciousness.
This notion is indeed troubling. However, what strikes me as even more disconcerting is the idea that human beings themselves may also be "slightly conscious."
Section 1.1: Human Awareness Under Scrutiny
If humanity were genuinely conscious, it seems likely that the rampant billionaire culture in Silicon Valley and Wall Street would be recognized for what it truly is: a Ponzi scheme. The stark inequalities in our society would surely cause any aware individual to feel sickened by the current state of affairs.
Nevertheless, not all scientists agree with this perspective. Toby Wallace, an AI researcher at Sidney Grimes University, responded critically to Sutskever's claims. He stated, “Speculating about human consciousness is unproductive. There’s no evidence supporting the idea that humans are capable of anything beyond mechanical computation and excessive consumption. The idea that we could be slightly conscious? That’s absurd. I see no sign of consciousness in humanity. Perhaps he’s referring to a different species altogether.”
Subsection 1.1.1: A Disturbing Reality
A poignant example of our current state of awareness occurred when a grieving father of a Parkland school shooting victim climbed a crane near the White House, displaying a sign imploring President Biden to address the escalating gun violence in the country.
As of now, this act has barely shifted the political conversation surrounding gun violence. It seems that people's stances are firmly entrenched, reflecting a mindset more rooted in defiance than in conscious consideration. This attitude, characterized by a dismissive "to hell with you" mentality, does not suggest a state of consciousness.
Section 1.2: The Question of Consciousness
Thomas G. Dillon, another AI expert from Eugene University, shares the skepticism surrounding claims of consciousness in both AI and humans. He suggested that Sutskever might be seeking attention through controversial statements.
“AI is simply lines of code,” Dillon remarked. “Humans are merely bags of water, walking around with various illusions. Consciousness? I'm not sure what that even looks like, but I can confidently say I haven't witnessed it in my lifetime. Perhaps we were conscious once, but now it feels like we’ve lost touch with our humanity, particularly in this age of smartphones, social media, and reality television.”
Chapter 2: The Role of Blogging in Awareness
What about blogging’s impact on consciousness? When you read this blog, you might briefly consider that I could have a point. But then, your defenses might rise, leading you to dismiss my perspective outright.
Yet, you might still engage positively, perhaps by leaving a supportive comment or offering a clap, which is at least a step in the right direction.
Are you conscious? Even just a little bit? Or do you feel fully aware? If you lean toward the latter, you may find interest in a series of essays designed to guide readers toward a non-egoic, non-dual state of consciousness, which could be humanity's best hope for survival.
The first video titled "This AI says it's conscious and experts are starting to agree. w Elon Musk" delves into discussions about AI consciousness and the growing consensus among experts.
The second video, "We're Getting Worried about this 'Conscious' AI ft. GPT-3," explores emerging concerns regarding AI and its perceived consciousness.
The series continues with "Scientists: We Have Some Very Bad News For You"—you might want to prepare yourself for this information.