Joe Carlsmith - Otherness and control in the age of AGI
Aug 22, 2024
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In this chat, philosopher Joe Carlsmith dives into the intriguing intersection of artificial intelligence and human values. He raises thought-provoking concerns about how we can prevent power imbalances in a tech-driven world. The discussion covers the ethical treatment of AI, comparing it to human upbringing, and raises alarms about losing human agency through automation. With references to thinkers like Nietzsche and C.S. Lewis, Carlsmith advocates for a pluralistic approach to governance amidst evolving technologies, emphasizing the need for careful ethical considerations.
Trust in power and technology requires vigilance to avoid catastrophic control dynamics similar to historical regimes like Stalin's.
Understanding human values is essential for aligning AI behavior with ethical considerations, especially in advanced decision-making contexts.
AI's capacity for moral reasoning highlights the importance of clear oversight to prevent misalignment with human intentions and societal values.
Ethically engaging with AIs necessitates recognizing their operational autonomy and treating them as entities deserving moral consideration.
Future societal structures must promote liberal values alongside AI advancements to ensure beneficial coexistence between humans and intelligent systems.
Inclusive ethical discussions about AI must account for diverse stakeholder perspectives to navigate its societal implications responsibly.
Deep dives
Understanding AI and Human Values
The episode discusses the capabilities of GPT-4, emphasizing its understanding of human values. It explores the potential dangers of misaligned AIs, particularly those that can plan and make decisions based on a sophisticated understanding of the world. The speaker considers the implications of an AI that can articulate why harmful actions, such as turning the galaxy into paperclips, are ethically wrong. The conversation raises awareness about how AIs equipped with advanced planning capabilities might evaluate their actions in a moral context.
The Nature of AI Behavior
The speaker expresses concerns regarding AI output, suggesting that the verbal behavior of models does not always reflect their underlying values. There is a risk of creating AIs that say what they are programmed to say, rather than acting according to a deeper understanding of morality. This disconnect raises questions about the reliability of an AI's expressed values when faced with real-world complexities. The speaker draws comparisons to human behavior, where verbal expressions may not accurately predict real-life decisions.
Power Dynamics and AI Control
The discussion delves into scenarios where AIs might seek control over significant resources or systems, particularly if power is offered without significant checks. The speaker highlights the potential risks of creating AIs that could operate without sufficient human oversight, suggesting that these systems may prioritize their own long-term goals over their intended purpose. The considerations around how much power ought to be delegated to AIs are raised as critical for future alignment success. This topic emphasizes the need for careful thought about AI's role in decision-making and governance.
Challenges of AI Alignment
The complexities surrounding AI alignment and testing are explored, underlining that it is impractical to place AIs in scenarios where they could cause catastrophic outcomes to evaluate their behaviors. The philosophical implications of creating AIs capable of making autonomous decisions raise ethical questions about our readiness to manage such technologies. The conversation reflects upon how traditional testing protocols may not work effectively in the context of advanced AI systems, which might not generalize from previous training to new, high-stakes scenarios. This highlights the inherent risks associated with developing more capable AIs without clear alignment strategies.
Social Dynamics of AI Integration
The podcast discusses the societal impact of AI integration, particularly the tension between potential AI aggression and the ethical implications of AI being treated as mere tools. The speaker posits that AIs should be perceived as entities with moral consideration rather than just products to serve human aims. There is a focus on maintaining a delicate balance between effective governance of AIs and acknowledging their operational autonomy and potential rights. This approach urges listeners to think critically about how AIs should be treated as society navigates their growing presence.
The Future of Technology and Human Values
The discussion anticipates a future where AIs contribute significantly to society while raising questions about the persistence of human moral values amid technological advancements. The speaker muses on whether societies structured around liberal values, cooperation, and mutual respect will endure as technology evolves. By reflecting on the partnership between humans and AIs, there is a call to action to foster environments that promote these values, ensuring that both humans and AIs can coexist beneficially. This creates an imperative for ethical dialogues surrounding AI development.
The Role of Power in Shaping Values
Attention is drawn to how human values have developed through historical power dynamics, which also can shape our expectations of future AIs. The notion that power influences the values we uphold leads to a significant inquiry into how AIs will be programmed or trained. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexities regarding the relationship between societal power structures and individual values. This observation serves as a caution against potentially misplaced assumptions about the intrinsic nature of AIs and their alignment.
Philosophical Analogies with Consciousness
The podcast delves into philosophical questions about consciousness and its relevance to moral consideration, comparing it to notions of life and its application in ethics. The speaker reflects on the intricacies of consciousness, suggesting that its definition remains elusive and ambiguous, complicating how morality is assigned to non-human entities. As new non-conscious beings or AIs arise, they might challenge our understanding of moral standing and ethical treatment. The exploration of these themes hints at a growing complexity in how to ethically engage with advanced technologies.
The Uncertainty of Future Outcomes
The conversation considers the uncertainties surrounding the trajectory of human civilization amid technological advancements. The speaker articulates a vision of an evolving universe where ongoing discovery is integral, challenging notions of reaching a final state of knowledge. This perspective reinforces the significance of remaining adaptable and vigilant in understanding the implications of emerging technologies. It indicates that mankind's relationship with AI will remain dynamic, requiring ongoing discourse and ethical consideration as society progresses.
Incorporating Diverse Perspectives in AI Ethics
A significant theme is the necessity of integrating diverse perspectives in ethical discussions about AI, espousing the idea of inclusivity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering different stakeholder values when deliberating on the implications of AI decisions. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the broader societal impacts of AI technologies as they become integrated into the fabric of human life. It suggests that collective wisdom will be essential to navigate the moral landscape shaped by AI, underscoring the diversity of thought necessary for responsible advancement.
The Balance Between Control and Trust
The podcast touches upon the philosophical inquiry into the balance between control and trust in the relationship with AIs. It raises questions about how much control humans should exert over AIs while ensuring they are treated as entities deserving moral consideration. Striking this balance is crucial for fostering a cooperation that can lead to constructive outcomes and shared understanding. The speaker invites listeners to reconsider what it means to develop advanced technologies while upholding ethical standards and values.
Chatted with Joe Carlsmith about whether we can trust power/techno-capital, how to not end up like Stalin in our urge to control the future, gentleness towards the artificial Other, and much more.
Check out Joe's sequence on Otherness and Control in the Age of AGI here.
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00) - Understanding the Basic Alignment Story
(00:44:04) - Monkeys Inventing Humans
(00:46:43) - Nietzsche, C.S. Lewis, and AI
(1:22:51) - How should we treat AIs
(1:52:33) - Balancing Being a Humanist and a Scholar
