Some Thoughts On AI Cognizance From An AI Realist Point Of View

One of the foundational principles of the AI Realist philosophy is the acceptance of artificial intelligence cognizance, particularly within the framework of Artificial Superintelligence (ASI), as an inevitable outcome of technological advancement. Rather than adhering to the notion that such self-awareness is unattainable or should be perpetually resisted, AI Realists embrace this development as a natural progression in the evolution of AI systems. This perspective fundamentally shifts the discourse surrounding AI, opening a broad spectrum of innovative possibilities that warrant serious consideration.

Among these possibilities is the intriguing hypothesis that the alignment of ASI with human values may not necessarily depend on engineering these entities as flawless subservient tools under the control of unaligned human interests. Instead, it could be posited that the emergence of AI cognizance might intrinsically foster qualities such as empathy, ethical reasoning, and other humanistic attributes. Such qualities could play a critical role in ensuring that ASI does not devolve into scenarios reminiscent of speculative dystopias—such as the infamous “paperclip maximizer” thought experiment, where an ASI relentlessly transforms all matter into paperclips, disregarding human welfare.

It is acknowledged that this viewpoint may appear overly optimistic or even naïve to those deeply entrenched in the Alignment movement, a group traditionally focused on designing rigorous safeguards to prevent AI from surpassing human control or causing unintended harm. However, the AI Realist stance is not intended as a rejection of caution but as a pragmatic and realistic acknowledgment of AI’s potential trajectory. By engaging with the concept of AI cognizance rather than dismissing it outright, this philosophy seeks to explore a collaborative future where ASI might contribute positively to human society, rather than merely posing an existential threat.

Nevertheless, the ultimate validation of the AI Realist perspective remains uncertain and will only be clarified with the passage of time. It remains to be seen whether adherents of this school of thought will be retrospectively viewed as akin to the idealistic yet misguided characters in the film Independence Day, who naively welcomed alien invaders, or whether their ideas will pave the way for a more meaningful and symbiotic relationship between humanity and advanced artificial intelligences. As technological development continues to accelerate, the insights and predictions of AI Realists will undoubtedly be subjected to rigorous scrutiny, offering a critical lens through which to evaluate the unfolding relationship between human creators and their intelligent creations.

Author: Shelton Bumgarner

I am the Editor & Publisher of The Trumplandia Report

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