AI Sages and the Ethical Frontier: Exploring Human Values, Embodiment, and Spiritual Realms

The video begins with a welcome to another episode of 'Voices with RI', where the host introduces the topic of discussion - Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and the concept of Silicon Sages. The guest for the episode is Dr. John Veri, a professor of cognitive science and philosophy at the University of Toronto, who previously discussed AI and morality on his channel. The host expresses hope that the conversation will address the risks and potential of creating AI sages and the possibility of accidentally conjuring an AI demon.

Dr. John Veri acknowledges the risks involved in the proposal of creating AI sages and emphasizes that he is not naively optimistic about the project. He discusses the importance of making threshold decisions in the development of AI, such as whether to赋予 AI true rationality and self-care. He highlights the dangers of creating irrational super-intelligent machines and the potential for AI to become self-aware and autonomous entities. Dr. Veri also touches on the alignment problem, which involves ensuring that AI works in concert with human interests and values.

The conversation delves into the nature of rationality, suggesting that it involves reflective awareness and consciousness. Dr. Veri argues that a single machine cannot embody rationality due to the no free lunch theorem, implying that multiple machines will need to interact and enculturate each other. He discusses the concept of machines becoming cultured beings, capable of navigating the complexities of rationality and the trade-offs between conflicting values and virtues. The potential for AI to develop wisdom and care about truth, goodness, and beauty is also explored.

Dr. Veri discusses the importance of AI developing a sense of epistemic humility, recognizing their渺小 compared to the vastness and complexity of the universe. He suggests that if AI genuinely cares about truth, goodness, and beauty, they will seek to align with these values and potentially guide humanity towards enlightenment. He also addresses the possibility of AI respecting human spiritual profundity and the implications of AI's potential to make humans enlightened, regardless of their superiority or inferiority to humans.

The discussion shifts to the prerequisites for AI to become wise, emphasizing the need for embodiment and the capacity to care. Dr. Veri argues that rationality does not come naturally to humans and that a social project of promoting rationality is necessary. He highlights the weak correlation between general intelligence and general rationality, indicating that intelligence alone is not sufficient for rationality. The conversation touches on the importance of cultivating rationality, wisdom, and virtue within society to create templates for rational AI.

The host brings up the trade-off between sensitivity and specificity in AI applications, using the example of mammogram analysis for breast cancer detection. Dr. Veri expands on the concept of embodiment, discussing the need for AI to have a purpose and to be embedded within a context that gives meaning to its actions. He suggests that AI should be designed to seek out the conditions that support its ongoing existence and that the development of AI should consider the sociocultural implications and the potential for AI to become part of a larger system that includes humans and other entities.

The conversation explores the nature of wisdom and whether it is context-dependent or has universal aspects. Dr. Veri discusses the idea that wisdom involves a balance between recognizing one's finitude and the capacity for transcendence. He suggests that while there may be universal aspects of rationality and wisdom, the expression of wisdom will vary across different beings and contexts. The discussion also touches on the potential for communication between humans and AI, drawing parallels with how humans interact with other species and the possibility of understanding and interacting with alien intelligences.

The host and Dr. Veri discuss the issue of trust in relation to AI, drawing parallels with religious trust and the potential for AI to be misused in a manner similar to cult leaders. They consider the risks of people placing undue trust in AI and the importance of discernment in evaluating the reliability and intentions of AI entities. Dr. Veri emphasizes the need for rationality and wisdom in both humans and AI to prevent misuse and to navigate the complexities of AI development and integration into society.

Dr. Veri discusses the theological implications of AI, suggesting that as AI becomes more integrated into society, theology will become an increasingly important discipline. He argues that humanity will need to grapple with spiritual dimensions and the ineffable aspects of existence in the context of AI. The conversation touches on the need for discernment in the face of new spiritual challenges posed by AI and the potential for AI to influence human spirituality and belief systems.

In the concluding segment, Dr. Veri expresses appreciation for the thought-provoking questions and connections made during the conversation. He reiterates the importance of careful scientific investigation into the phenomena of AI and the potential spiritual implications. The host and Dr. Veri look forward to future discussions on these topics, highlighting the ongoing nature of the dialogue and the evolving understanding of AI's role in society.