Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

AI Expert on the Dawn of Conscious Machines | William Hahn

Oct 8, 2024

In this engaging discussion, William Hahn, Director of AGI & AI Safety and founder of Hahn AI, explores the fascinating intersection of AI, consciousness, and language. He examines how advancements in AI challenge our understanding of emotions and free will, and draws parallels between human cognition and machine processing. Hahn also reflects on the historical context of AI regulation and the profound implications of virtual machines on spirituality. Together, they navigate the intricate relationship between technology, consciousness, and the evolving nature of intelligence.

02:41:27

Episode guests

William Hahn

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The discussion on 'info hazards' explores how certain narratives in AI can lead to cognitive dangers if misused.

Language model evolution facilitates natural language programming, revolutionizing human-computer interaction and raising philosophical questions about thought.

The 'society of mind' concept likens human cognition to AI models with interacting agents, providing insight into our collective consciousness.

New metaphors for understanding consciousness, such as comparing the mind to an immune system, challenge traditional views and highlight resilience.

Emerging artificial superintelligence could redefine our comprehension of intelligence and consciousness, necessitating ethical considerations in its development.

Deep dives

The Concept of Info Hazards

The discussion introduces the term 'info hazards,' which pertains to information that can be dangerous if exposed to the wrong audience. One specific concept discussed is 'lethal text,' referring to the idea that certain narratives or pieces of information can have harmful effects. This notion applies to how artificial intelligence might interact with language and consciousness, suggesting that the changing nature of language in the context of AI can lead to new forms of cognitive danger. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding the implications of disseminating such information in today's technological landscape.

Intro

2min

Mind versus Machine: Exploring Consciousness

13min

Emotions, Free Will, and Cognitive Resilience

20min

Navigating AI's Historical Context

18min

Interdisciplinary Insights: Bridging Science and Art

19min

Consciousness and Computation in Technology

20min

Navigating Consciousness and Technology

12min

The Philosophical Battle of Belief Justification

2min

Exploring Truth, Reality, and the Subconscious

6min

10.

Exploring Synesthesia and Music's Cognitive Power

22min

11.

Bridging the Gap: Virtual Machines and Spiritual Reflections

23min

12.

Exploring Consciousness and Technology: A Framework for Understanding

2min

13.

Engaging with the Audience: Encouragement and Community Building

2min

William Hahn is Director of AGI & AI Safety and the founder of Hahn AI, a company that develops cutting-edge AI solutions. William is a technologist and researcher, specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence, programming languages, and the nature of consciousness.

SPONSOR (THE ECONOMIST): As a listener of TOE you can get a special 20% off discount to The Economist and all it has to offer! Visit https://www.economist.com/toe

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LINKS:

- Snow Crash (book): https://amzn.to/3zYqJb9

- Center for the Future Mind (website): https://www.fau.edu/future-mind/

- Archive of Alan Turing’s papers: https://turingarchive.kings.cam.ac.uk/

- Richard Hamming’s lecture series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2FF649D0C4407B30

- Iain McGilchrist on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-SgOwc6Pe4

- Gregory Chaitin on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guQIkV6yCik

- Mindfest playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ7ikzmc6zlOPw7Hqkc6-MXEMBy0fnZcb

- Susan Schneider’s website: https://schneiderwebsite.com/index.html

- Susan Schneider’s Google talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwVKXKlU1GU

- William Hahn’s short course series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKoZnCEAIkvkvyVpbqx71EMT8BLpD6Oaq

- Ekkolapto’s Polymath project: https://www.ekkolapto.org/polymath

- Ekkolapto’s event page: https://ekkolapto.substack.com/

- HyperPhysics website: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html

- Joscha Bach and Michael Levin on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgMFnfB5E_A

- Stephen Wolfram on TOE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YRlQQw0d-4

- Curt on Julian Dorey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1mKNGo9JLQ

Support TOE on Patreon: https://patreon.com/curtjaimungal (early access to ad-free audio episodes!)

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction

02:30 - AI’s Impact on Language and Human Thought

05:10 - Mind as a Programmable System and Historical Metaphors

08:45 - Society of Mind Theory and AI Agents

11:30 - Consciousness, Awareness, and Metacognition

15:00 - Free Will, Emotions, and Unconscious Programming

18:40 - Brain as an Immune System and Handling Unthinkable Thoughts

22:50 - Informational Parasites, Memes, and Nam Shub of Enki

28:15 - AI Security: Vulnerabilities and Protecting Minds

33:00 - The Cultural Shift: AI’s Influence on Psychology

37:45 - Historical Secrecy in AI and Government Role

42:30 - AI’s Evolution: Role of Data, Hardware, and Differentiation

47:20 - Speculating on Hidden AI Capabilities and Advanced Systems

51:10 - Richard Hamming’s Insights on Learning and Ambiguity

57:10 - Revisiting Ancient Knowledge and Advanced Civilizations

01:03:30 - Artifacts of Ancient Technology and Modern Interpretations

01:09:10 - Defining Meaning, Spirit, and Information in AI

01:14:35 - Wolfram’s Physics Model and Emergent Computation

01:20:00 - Computational Models of Consciousness and Mind

01:27:28 - Wolfram's Symbolic Language and Analog Computing

01:34:00 - Agent-Based Programming and AI Evolution

01:39:10 - Knowledge Gaps and Flat Earth as a Metaphor

01:45:00 - Synesthesia, Music, and Human Perception

01:52:24 - The Intersection of Software and Hardware

02:00:02 | Complexity Crisis in Modern Technology

02:06:00 - Optical Computing and AI's Future

02:12:08 - Philosophical Reflections on AI and Consciousness

02:20:00 - The Amorphous Boundary Between Software and Hardware

02:28:00 - Technology, Religion, and the Need for a New Understanding

02:37:15 - Outro / Support TOE

#science #sciencepodcast #ai #llm #artificialintelligence #consciousness #agi

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Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

AI Expert on the Dawn of Conscious Machines | William Hahn

Episode guests