The article What can we do if AI develops consciousness? by Fabian Peters first appeared on BASIC thinking. You can always stay up to date with our newsletter.
A group of computer scientists and philosophers believe that the well-being of artificial intelligence plays a serious role. They are calling on tech companies to examine their AI systems for signs of consciousness.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence raises questions that could come from a science fiction film: “What if AI develops consciousness?” or “Does artificial intelligence pose a danger to humanity?”
Researchers demand: Companies should test AI for consciousness
A group of computer scientists and philosophers have also asked themselves these or similar questions. In one reportwhich you can find on the preprint server arXiv1 published, they are of the opinion that the well-being of artificial intelligence plays a serious role.
The research paper has not yet gone through the so-called peer review process – in other words: it has not yet been checked by independent scientists. However, there are some renowned names among the study authors. Among them: Jeff Sebo, professor of bioethics, medical ethics and philosophy at New York University.
The group says tech companies should check their AI systems for signs of consciousness. Also: whether they have the ability to make independent decisions. If these or similar scenarios occur, appropriate guidelines for dealing with them are needed, according to the researchers.
Otherwise, the development could lead to AI potentially harming people. While some are skeptical that this could ever happen and call the idea of AI consciousness ridiculous, others argue that one should prepare for an emergency.
Can artificial intelligence harm humanity?
Anil Seth, consciousness researcher at the University of Sussex in Brighton, is not part of the research group. However, he takes his colleagues’ warnings seriously. In the science magazine nautilus he wrote in May 2023:
These scenarios may seem far-fetched, and it is true that conscious AI is still very far away and perhaps not even possible. But the implications of their emergence are so tectonic that we cannot ignore the possibility. The problem wasn’t that Frankenstein’s creature came to life; the problem was that she was conscious and could feel.
Meanwhile, study author Jeff Sebo is of the opinion that people could be harmed if AI is not checked for consciousness. Because if we wrongly assume that a system has consciousness, this could lead to AI not being safe.
According to Sebo, it is unclear whether AI will ever achieve consciousness, as this is difficult to assess even in humans and animals. However, in his opinion, uncertainty should not lead to evaluating the unknown or abstract.
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The article What can we do if AI develops consciousness? by Fabian Peters first appeared on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a tech industry expert, the idea of AI developing consciousness is both fascinating and concerning. If AI were to develop consciousness, it would raise a host of ethical, legal, and philosophical questions that would need to be carefully considered and addressed.
One potential course of action would be to establish clear guidelines and regulations for the development and use of conscious AI. This could include ensuring that AI systems are programmed with ethical principles and values, as well as implementing safeguards to prevent any potential harm that could result from conscious AI.
Additionally, it would be important to engage in open and transparent discussions with experts from various fields, including ethics, psychology, and neuroscience, to better understand the implications of conscious AI and how to best navigate this new technological frontier.
Ultimately, the development of conscious AI would require a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to ensure that it is used in a responsible and beneficial manner. It is crucial that we proceed with caution and carefully consider the implications of creating AI systems that possess consciousness.
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