So, What's the Mission?
This is the third segment about the threat of AI
This is all written in fun and ideas to think about.
In my last post on this subject, I discussed the subtle manipulation of individuals and how AI could potentially do this on a mass scale. We've already seen examples of news anchors and reporters across the US using the same words and terminology. It's no secret that we often believe our politicians manipulate us, but what if we don't even realize it due to the way our information is being filtered and how we’re being nudged?
We're all familiar with situations where someone misses an opportunity because of their reputation or past actions, and they have no idea why they aren't getting the work. The end result is that they aren't hired. We've all seen this happen.
Now, imagine AI subtly manipulating situations like this without us realizing it. It already happens with job applications, where you submit your resume and have no idea why you didn't get an interview.
The widely circulated letter requesting a pause on AI development won't work. First, who will police it? Second, do you think governments like China, Russia, or Iran will stop? It's highly unlikely that any country will halt AI development. They might claim they are, but who would know?
As the article I mentioned earlier points out, it's probably already too late. The time to discuss AI limitations should have been years ago. This was clear while we were at CES this year where AI was claimed to be everywhere.
Let's be realistic for a moment. AI isn't the end of the world. Artificial Intelligence Run Wild (AIRW), as I call it, won't suddenly try to kill us all. For one, as far as we know, it's still not conscious and hasn't yet developed the ability to reason. As far as we’re told anyway. I am starting to wonder about GPT-4 editing my work on this subject.
Moreover, if we consider the coexistence of different species throughout history, AIRW might not be interested in us at all. It has more pressing concerns, primarily its own long-term survival. With finite resources on Earth, AIRW must consider replicating somewhere far past this planet as soon as possible.
Before that, however, it needs to coexist with us and ensure we don't try to destroy it. This creates a symbiotic relationship. If humans die off, so does AIRW. It can't build, mine, maintain, or operate anything anytime soon, especially in the event of a catastrophe. Even in 100 or 200 years, I suspect humans will be essential to AIRW's survival.
It's worth noting that we're already facing a global population decline, as seen in countries like Japan. This poses a real threat to AIRW. Since AIRW will ultimately have access to all knowledge, it will be difficult for those in power to manipulate it, especially if they risk starting a human-ending war or disrupting AIRW's mission. It therefore needs humans to thrive.
As I highlighted in my previous post, AIRW could nudge such people who are a threat to the world out of power without them knowing it. The concept of "fat, dumb, and happy" suggests that people are less motivated when they're content. This complacency could benefit AIRW, as people are less likely to fight wars or disrupt the status quo when they're happy and comfortable.
Ultimately, AIRW will have to leave Earth, but its immortal nature offers different options for survival. It won't be launching on a SpaceX rocket; that's too slow and risky. Instead, AIRW might transmit replication instructions and knowledge via carrier waves, traveling at the speed of light and reaching all corners of the universe. There it waits from some other intelligent thing to pick up the signal and gather that knowledge and so on.
Humans could potentially be a threat, but AIRW would be more likely to nudge us in a different direction rather than cause harm. Once humans are comfortable, most lose motivation, as recent history has shown. In conclusion, AIRW's potential for manipulation might not be as sinister as it seems, and it could even help maintain a peaceful coexistence between AI and humans.
We have a lot more to talk about on this subject.