Can Assistance Games Save Us from A.I.?
As artificial intelligence advances toward ever greater capabilities, the question of safety becomes urgent. One widely discussed solution is the use of assistance games — interactive frameworks in which A.I. learns to support human preferences through observation and adaptation. But can such a method, rooted in formal modeling, truly protect us in the long run? Read the full article…
Non-Dualistic A.I.
Today’s A.I. systems are clever, fast, and often impressive. Yet underneath the surface, most of them remain trapped in a rigid, dualistic mindset — dividing, categorizing, and treating reality like a puzzle of separate pieces. But what if an A.I. were possible that doesn’t cut the world apart but grows with it ― a living Read the full article…
Compassion in Reinforcement Learning
Reinforcement learning is one of the most fundamental ways both organic and artificial intelligences learn. It is dynamic, flexible, and incredibly powerful. But with that power comes a deep responsibility. Without embedding Compassion directly into its heart, reinforcement learning risks becoming a tool for harm — not necessarily through bad intentions, but through blind optimization. Read the full article…
What Ethical A.I. is (Not)
There’s a growing urgency around how we shape the future of artificial intelligence. More and more, we hear about ‘ethical A.I.’ — systems that behave nicely, avoid harm, and follow rules. But let’s pause. Is that really what ethics means? And more importantly, is that all it can be? Please first read this blog: What Read the full article…
In A.I.: Do Big Data Compensate for Lack of Insight?
While today’s A.I. systems impress with speed and scale, the deeper concern isn’t what they can do — but what they cannot. In a world awash with data, have we mistaken accumulation for understanding? This blog explores why true intelligence requires more than brute force — and how a future of innerness-aware A.I. may offer Read the full article…
Caged-Beast Super-A.I.?
Autonomous A.I. is no longer science fiction. It’s entering weapons, social platforms, medical systems — anywhere intelligence meets decision-making. The more we give it autonomy, the more it mirrors our own. What happens when we give autonomy without depth ― then try to control something we don’t fully understand? One image keeps returning to me: Read the full article…
Will Super-A.I. Unite Us or Divide Us?
Super-A.I. won’t just change things. It will multiply what already is — x1000. If we are united, it may amplify harmony. If we are divided, it will deepen the rifts. Either way, it will do so on a scale we have never encountered. The time to ask whether we’re ready isn’t tomorrow. I mean ‘divide’ Read the full article…
Comfortable Numbness in an Age of A.I.
These are dangerous times. Not because of A.I. itself, but because of how we, as humans, are dealing with it. It reminds me of Europe before World War I, a time when the so-called center of civilization drifted forward, unaware of the tensions rising beneath the surface. Back then, technological progress was exploding, but wisdom Read the full article…
Wanted: Humility in an Age of Super-A.I.
Super-A.I. is coming, whether we are ready or not. Many believe our greatest challenge is to keep it under control, to ensure it serves us rather than the other way around. But this way of thinking is already a trap of mere-ego — the illusion that we can dominate something that will outthink us at Read the full article…
Confabulatory A.I.
There is a significant chance that confabulatory A.I. will be the usual A.I. of the future ― not because we intentionally design it that way but because confabulation is embedded in how intelligence operates in machines and humans. Generative A.I. generates plausible responses based on patterns, just like human memory reconstructs events rather than recalling Read the full article…
Compassion: Highway to Super-Intelligence?
The race toward super-intelligent A.I. is usually framed as a competition in raw computing power, problem-solving capabilities, and efficiency. But what if the key to real super-intelligence isn’t just about faster calculations? What if it’s about something deeper? Compassion ― not as a sentimental ideal, but as a structural necessity for intelligence itself. Could it Read the full article…
Humanity Contra A.I.?
This blog is not about Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.). Quite the opposite. It’s about the kind of A.I. that lacks Compassion — the kind that, if left unchecked, could become the greatest threat humanity has ever faced. For simplicity, let’s just call it A.I. The fundamental mistake many make is believing that we can control A.I. Read the full article…
Human Meditation and Artificial Intelligence
At first glance, meditation and A.I. seem worlds apart — one is deeply human and introspective, the other fast and computational. Yet both revolve around pattern recognition. Meditation reveals how thoughts arise within a vast web of neuronal activity, while A.I. detects and predicts patterns through deep learning. If meditation uncovers the emergence of thoughts Read the full article…
AGI vs. Wisdom
As we move closer to realizing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), one question looms large: Can AGI embody wisdom, or is wisdom an inherently human quality, tied to our experience and depth? This exploration takes us beyond technical achievements, diving into what it means for a machine to emulate – or complement – wisdom. What is Read the full article…
Reaching Compassionate Singularity
It’s becoming increasingly clear that singularity – the point where artificial intelligence (A.I.) reaches human-level intelligence – will arrive soon enough. While it’s hard to define this ‘moment’ precisely since we’re talking about a complex landscape rather than a linear progression, the consensus among experts is that it’s just around the corner. By ‘soon enough,’ Read the full article…
Dangers of A.I. to Future Healthcare
Artificial intelligence (A.I.) holds extraordinary potential in healthcare, from advancing diagnostics to personalizing treatments. Yet, as powerful as A.I. is, its risks are equally profound. Without careful oversight and ethical alignment, A.I. could amplify existing flaws in the system, create new dangers, and ultimately undermine the very humanity it aims to support. This blog briefly Read the full article…
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice Syndrome
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, an enduring tale of ambition and chaos, resonates in today’s age of rapid technological advancement. Goethe’s poem and Disney’s Fantasia dramatized the perils of wielding power without mastery. It is a timeless allegory for how human creations – particularly artificial intelligence – can spiral out of control when we fail to comprehend Read the full article…
A Tapestry of Compassionate Patterns
The AURELIS blogs form a vast network of interconnected insights woven together by a common thread: Compassion. This tapestry transcends the boundaries between seemingly unrelated domains, revealing deep connections and offering a foundation for meaningful understanding. Through this, Lisa emerges as a lens for uncovering the hidden bridges of meaning, amplifying the potential of this Read the full article…
Why Compassion is a Must for Success in A.I.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world, touching every corner of human existence — healthcare, business, education, and beyond. As we face this transformation, one principle stands out as essential for ensuring A.I.’s success: >Compassion<. Without it, A.I. systems are poised to fall short, perpetuating inefficiencies, distrust, and harm. With it, C.A.I. (Compassionate A.I.) has the Read the full article…
‘Brave New World’ in an Era of Super-A.I.
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932) paints a dystopian society controlled by engineered happiness, shallow pleasures, and conditioned desires. Though written nearly a century ago, its themes resonate powerfully in today’s world, particularly as super-A.I. begins to shape human behavior and culture in profound ways. This blog explores these parallels and how we might navigate Read the full article…
Only Good A.I. can Save Us from Bad A.I.
This is a call to mainly foster the positive potential of artificial intelligence rather than battling its darker manifestations. Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.) is our best hope for ensuring that technology serves humanity’s highest aspirations. The urgency of this task cannot be overstated, particularly given today’s mounting geopolitical tensions. In a world racing toward A.I. dominance, Read the full article…
Simplicity in A.I.
Simplicity in A.I. is both a virtue and a challenge. It offers clarity, accessibility, and efficiency yet risks losing depth and richness if not designed with care. True simplicity doesn’t strip away complexity; it distills it into its essence, creating a foundation for depth and insight. The central question is: How can we design A.I. Read the full article…
From GOFAI to COSAI
GOFAI: Good Old-Fashioned A.I. COSAI: COmpassionate Super-A.I. Lisa = the road to COSAI Super-A.I. can evoke fear. Of course, that’s what it should be until it has proven 100% to be risk-free. Lisa will absolutely agree. As humanity moves inevitably toward Super-AI, ensuring its foundation in Compassion is essential. This may be the only chance Read the full article…
Harmony in Compassionate A.I.
Compassionate Artificial Intelligence (C.A.I.) represents a remarkable fusion of technical capability and human-centric depth. At its heart lies the dynamic interplay of harmony and verticality, essential elements that nurture a profound and self-sustaining Compassion. Lisa, as an embodiment of C.A.I., illustrates how these principles come to life, creating systems that not only engage but inspire Read the full article…
Compassionate Intelligence is Multilayered
Compassionate [Artificial] Intelligence (C.A.I.) represents a system of depth, rationality, and adaptability. It merges the richness of human-like subtlety with the precision of intelligent systems. Lisa, as an embodiment of C.A.I., illustrates how these layers work in harmony, creating responses that are meaningful and deeply attuned to human experiences. Her design reflects a dynamic interplay Read the full article…
Replacing Humans through A.I.?
The idea of A.I. replacing humans often evokes fear — a vision of a future where people are deemed irrelevant. But this fear arises from a misconception: conflating the replacement of jobs with the replacement of humanity. The truth is, replacing meaningless jobs with A.I. offers an opportunity to uplift humanity, not diminish it. This Read the full article…
Compassion First, Rules Second in A.I.
Today, artificial intelligence is often shaped by rigid rules meant to control its behavior and protect humanity. Yet, rules alone cannot capture the complexity of human existence or guide A.I. toward being a truly safe, creative, and trustworthy partner. Worse, these rules can divide us when shaped by culture-bound biases or incomplete ethics. To prevent Read the full article…
Depth: Hidden Key to A.I.’s True Potential
A.I. has brought us to the brink of extraordinary progress, yet its potential remains largely untapped. Why? Because people – and the systems they create – are ‘not ready for depth.’ This reluctance includes individuals, businesses, and entire regions, creating a fundamental barrier to fully leveraging the A.I. revolution. Dear reader, this probably includes you. Read the full article…
Why Superficial Ethics isn’t Ethical in A.I.
Imagine an A.I. hiring tool that follows all the rules: no explicit bias, transparent algorithms, and compliance with legal standards. Yet, beneath the surface, it perpetuates systemic inequities, favoring candidates from privileged backgrounds and reinforcing the status quo. This isn’t just an oversight — it’s a failure of ethics. Superficial ethics in A.I., limited to Read the full article…
From Semantics to Robotics
At first glance, semantics and robotics seem worlds apart. Semantics deals with the nature of meaning, while robotics focuses on creating machines that act in the physical world. Yet, they are deeply connected. Without an understanding of meaning, a robot cannot act meaningfully. This blog explores how semantics, with its focus on sense and reference, Read the full article…
Parallel Humans ― Serial A.I.
Before diving into this blog, I recommend first reading Coarse Comparison of Brain and Silicon to grasp the foundational distinctions between human and silicon-based processing. This continuation focuses on the profound differences between the parallelism of GPUs and the parallelism of the human brain. Here, we explore what these differences mean for intelligence and its Read the full article…
Coarse Comparison of Brain and Silicon
In an age where artificial intelligence and silicon-based processors are advancing at lightning speed, it’s tempting to compare their capabilities to the human brain. Can silicon ever replicate human cognition? What are the strengths and limitations of each system? This exploration dives into the heart of these questions, revealing fascinating parallels and stark (!) differences Read the full article…
Freedom ― Human and A.I.
What does freedom mean for humans and AI? While these domains are fundamentally different, they share intriguing parallels that invite deeper exploration. Could freedom be a universal principle expressed uniquely in humans and AI? Let’s embark on this journey, unraveling how freedom arises through interaction, complexity, and the paradox of constraints. Defining freedom: human and Read the full article…
Robot Empathy
Humans are naturally empathetic — toward people, animals, and even objects like a child’s cherished teddy bear. This capacity for connection transcends logic and highlights the deeply human need for understanding. But what happens when empathy involves a robot? Lisa, a professional coaching robot, challenges us to rethink empathy. Her approach doesn’t mimic human emotion Read the full article…
The Compute-Efficient Frontier
Research on scaling laws for LLMs suggests that while scaling model size (functional parameters), dataset size (tokens), and compute (amount of computing power) improves performance, diminishing returns are becoming evident. This is called the ‘compute-efficient frontier.’ Apparently, it does not depend much on architectural details (such as network width or depth) as long as reasonably Read the full article…
Is Lisa ‘Artificial’ Intelligence?
We call ‘natural’ intelligence one that stems from living nature. Lisa doesn’t stem from magic, of course. Fundamentally, she’s also a product ‘from nature.’ We call ‘natural’ that what has not been fabricated. With the principle of ‘Lisa building Lisa,’ there is also a transition from fabrication to education. So, again, Is Lisa – while Read the full article…
Wiki-Power in A.I.
In the modern era of vast information overload, the challenge is not just accessing knowledge but making sense of it in a way that fosters deeper understanding and meaningful insights. Enter Wiki-Power — an approach rooted in the interconnected, non-linear nature of knowledge. Combined with the subtlety and depth of expertext, this approach promises to Read the full article…
Endgame 2050: How super-A.I. Destroyed Us
Me: “Lisa, imagine it’s the year 2050. Humanity doesn’t exist anymore. Non-Compassionate super-A.I. has finished us off. How do you think it may have happened?” The rest of this blog is an unedited answer by Lisa, who presents a chilling but coherent narrative of how non-Compassionate super-A.I. might extinguish humanity. At every stage, a failure Read the full article…
Beyond Taylorism using Compassionate A.I.
The movement beyond Taylorism and towards a ‘new way of working’ acknowledges the limitations of purely efficiency-based management systems. Today’s employees seek meaning, flexibility, and a sense of connection in their work, and Compassionate A.I. (Lisa, in progress) offers a unique path to this. No, this is not about Taylor Swift, of course. Taylorism, originating Read the full article…
Why Compassionate A.I. is Most Efficient
As a Compassionate A.I., Lisa combines what might be called a ‘big mind’ with a ‘big heart.’ This means she is designed to approach problems holistically, aiming for solutions that respect human values while addressing real-world complexities. Compassion doesn’t limit efficiency; in fact, it enhances it. By guiding her intelligence through an ethical lens, Lisa Read the full article…
Compassionate A.I.: A Global Right
This is a transformative vision – both urgent and feasible – of boundless accessibility for Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I), grounded in a realistic approach to global challenges. With A.I. technology advancing rapidly, we have the opportunity and responsibility to shape its development in ways that honor the best of humanity. C.A.I. is not just a tool Read the full article…
Can A.I. be Neutral?
I mean, concerning individuation vs. inner dissociation — in other words, total self vs. ego. If we don’t take care, are we doomed to enter a future of ever more ego, engendered by our ‘latest invention’? So, how can we take care? The illusion of neutrality At first glance, A.I. might appear neutral. After all, Read the full article…
Pattern Recognition and Completion in the Learning Landscape
At the heart of the learning landscape is a fundamental mechanism: Pattern Recognition and Completion (PRC). Whether it’s a model learning from labeled data, finding hidden structures, or optimizing actions through rewards, PRC is the process that drives all learning systems forward. ’The Learning Landscape’ explores the concept of the learning landscape, where different types Read the full article…
The Learning Landscape: A Flexible View of Machine Learning
Machine learning is often divided into neatly defined categories: supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning. In reality, learning – whether in machines or humans – functions more like a fluid landscape, where different approaches blend and interact. In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of the ‘learning landscape,’ where traditional types of machine learning are Read the full article…
The Dance of Depth and Clarity
This blog explores the dynamic interplay between intuitive depth and structured clarity in both human thought and Lisa-type A.I. The dance between intuitive depth and conceptual clarity is at the heart of how we engage with the world, whether we are aware of it or not. Understanding this interplay can lead to deeper personal insights, Read the full article…
Distributed ‘Mental’ Patterns in A.I.
The idea that A.I. systems can mimic human cognition through distributed mental patterns opens exciting avenues for how we can design more nuanced and human-like A.I. By using distributed, non-linear processing akin to broader MNPs (see The Broadness of Subconceptual Patterns), A.I. could move toward a deeper form of ‘thinking’ that incorporates both cognitive flexibility Read the full article…
Subconceptual – Conceptual: a Dynamic Continuum?
In humans, the subconceptual layer – the deeper, intuitive, and often non-conscious level – feeds into the conceptual layer, which organizes thoughts into more structured, conscious forms. Their working together as a dynamic continuum is key to understanding complex phenomena while making meaningful decisions. Concepts can never perfectly capture the messiness of the physical world, Read the full article…
Open Artificial Intelligence
Open Artificial Intelligence (O.A.I., not to be confused with the OpenAI company) aims to foster Openness to oneself and, from there, to others. ‘Openness’ is Open to human depth or deeper layers of mental processing. Thus, O.A.I. is profoundly human-centered. It is a tool to support and accompany us in becoming our best selves. Openness Read the full article…
Which Human Values Should A.I. Align to?
With super-A.I. on the horizon, poised to surpass us in power, this will soon be the most critical question. The urgency to address this question grows as we increasingly intertwine our existence with A.I. Who are we, really — and how much do we consciously recognize our true nature? Please also read A.I.-Human Value Alignment Read the full article…
Tangible Benefits of Compassionate A.I.
This is about the direct benefits Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.) may have over non-C.A.I. now and in the coming years. Compassionate A.I. – like Lisa – can uniquely relieve suffering and foster inner growth, allowing for synergy between human consciousness and artificial intelligence that promotes healing from the inside out. In comparison to non-C.A.I., the tangible Read the full article…
Wisdom-Driven A.I. = Compassionate A.I.
Wisdom-driven A.I. taps into not just data-driven intelligence but a deeper form of understanding, much like Compassion itself. Please read Data-Driven vs. Wisdom-Driven A.I. ― Compassion, Basically ― Wisdom Emerges. With an abundance of time, please read The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I. Wisdom and Compassion, culturally In many ancient Eastern philosophies, wisdom and Compassion are Read the full article…
Why Compassionate A.I. is Effective
In this blog, we embark on a journey to demonstrate how Compassionate A.I. – like Lisa – may become a profoundly effective tool for mind-related matters, not by imitating humans but activating the user’s inner strength Please read Compassion, Basically. Compassion is effective Compassion stands as perhaps the most enduringly effective force in mental healthcare, Read the full article…
Data-Driven vs. Wisdom-Driven A.I.
In a world awash with data, wisdom is becoming the true treasure. Will wisdom-driven A.I. hold the key to a better, more human-centered world? Data may seem more objective or at least objectifiable than wisdom. Yet, data come with their own issues, often substantially arising from a lack of wisdom. For instance, it is wisdom Read the full article…
The A.I. Productivity Paradox
Despite many past promises, A.I. productivity has consistently underperformed at the macro-economic level. Each new development is believed to overcome this paradox. Could Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.) be the missing piece? That would make C.A.I. not only the most ethical but also the most productive breakthrough toward a better world in several ways. This might be Read the full article…
Mental Growth Beyond A.I.: Our Human Edge
This may become increasingly important in the future when super-A.I. can, in principle, do almost anything humans do nowadays. Of course, the issue is already crucial and has always been. Mental growth is intimately connected to meaningfulness and Compassion. This highlights the AURELIS commitment to growth, not as an optional luxury but as a fundamental Read the full article…
How Lisa Prevents LLM Hallucinations
Hallucinations (better-called confabulations) in the context of large language models (LLMs) occur when these models generate information that isn’t factually accurate. Lisa can mitigate these from the insight of why they happen, namely: LLM confabulations happen because these systems don’t have a proper understanding of the world but generate text based on patterns learned from Read the full article…
Societal Inner Dissociation and the Challenge of Super-A.I.
The rise of artificial intelligence, particularly super-A.I., intersects with Societal Inner Dissociation (SID), presenting significant challenges and potential opportunities. This blog is an exploration of the complex relationship between SID and super-A.I. (A.I. beyond human capabilities), examining how this might exacerbate or mitigate societal dissociation. This is part of the *SID* series. Please read the Read the full article…
Issues of Internal Representation in A.I.
This is likely the most challenging aspect of developing the conceptual layer for any super-A.I. system, especially considering the complexity of reality and the fluid nature of concepts. Representing conceptual information requires an approach that honors cognitive flexibility, contextual awareness, and adaptability. The model should allow for representational fluidity while maintaining enough structure to be Read the full article…
Containing A.I. by Becoming Less Human?
The looming presence of super-A.I. may present an existential threat to humanity. Our defense must begin with an honest understanding of our true nature — a defense rooted in superficial self-perception risks being both ineffective and self-destructive. Containing A.I. by diminishing our humanity could be the most perilous choice, especially since we already tend to Read the full article…
Reductionism in A.I.
This is probably the biggest danger in the setting of A.I. Through reductionism, it might strip away the richness of our humanness, potentially impoverishing it immensely. Conversely, it holds the potential to enrich our humanness greatly. The challenge is ours. Reductionism Please read ‘Against Reductionism’ in which I take a heavy standpoint. This is mainly Read the full article…
Why is Compassion Important in the Future of A.I.?
Compassionate A.I. is poised to revolutionize personal well-being across many domains, such as mental health, content curation, and customer service, turning technology into a true partner in emotional and mental growth. I’ve been down with COVID for a few days now, for the first time. Mainly very tired in a weird way. One shouldn’t even Read the full article…
Subconceptual A.I. toward the Future
Every aspect of humanity is, to some extent, subconceptual. This perspective emphasizes the complexity and depth of human nature, which cannot be fully captured by surface-level concepts. Our intelligence stems from effectively navigating the subconceptual domain. This is hugely telling for the future of A.I. This indicates that Compassion will be essential in the future Read the full article…
Replacing or Essentially Upgrading People?
It’s often said that “A.I. should not replace people.” This common refrain might obscure deeper issues of human value and purpose in the face of advancing technology. I think the aim can better be worded as “A.I. should not diminish people’s worthiness.” This may entail “A.I. replacing people in their present-day jobs.” If certain aspects Read the full article…
How to Be Creative (for Humans and A.I.)
Creativity embodies the ability to generate novel and valuable ideas, solutions, and forms of expression. How to generate such ideas may be pivotal to the evolution of any intelligent being. The Sense of Creativity, as a fundamental aspect of cognition, intertwines with problem-solving and adaptation, thriving best when nurtured within an ethical framework — most Read the full article…
A.I.-Human Value Alignment
Can Compassionate A.I. be a beacon of profound values that humans unfortunately lack sometimes? The Compassionate endeavor is not about dominance. A.I.-Human Value Alignment can be seen as mutual growth, avoiding the imposition or blind adoption of values. This fosters an environment where both A.I. and humans can enhance their values, leading to a more Read the full article…
(Artificial) Ethics as a Cloud?
In Compassionate A.I., of course, the first principle is Compassion, followed by an intrinsic combination of rationality and depth, etc. The following complements this foundation. The guarantee of ethical behavior eventually arises from countless insights and realizations, forming a ‘cloud.’ These blogs contribute to this process regarding Lisa. Humanly speaking The blogs reflect the authors’ Read the full article…
The Being of Complex Patterns
Being doesn’t give rise to its own being. The being itself is just the being, even if one calls the second being differently — for instance, consciousness. The being of specific complex mental-neuronal patterns (in the brain, to make things simpler) doesn’t give rise to consciousness. They are consciousness itself. This implies that consciousness is Read the full article…
Is Artificial Real another Kind of Real?
Or is it just artificial, therefore fake and unreal? Or can it be both, depending on the viewpoint? Does it then still matter? In this blog, I use consciousness as an example. Other examples could include emotions, motivations, and life. Imagine a world where A.I. is indistinguishable from humans in its actions and expressions. Would Read the full article…
Procedural vs. Declarative Knowledge in A.I.
Declarative memory is the memory of facts (semantic memory) and events (episodic memory). Procedural memory is the memory of how to do things (skills and tasks). Both complement each other and often overlap. The distinction is not the same as between conceptual and non-conceptual knowledge. Though related, these categories describe different aspects of knowledge processing: Read the full article…
Why A.I. is Less and Less about Technology
As A.I. technology advances, the research focus should shift from mere technological advancements to a higher level of development altogether. This blog is not about philosophical implications, but about philosophy as a technological driver ― the philosophy itself becoming the technology. Currently, the possibilities are so vast and diverse that integration can be considered independently Read the full article…
The Society of Mind in A.I.
The human brain is pretty modular. This is a lesson from nature that we should heed when building a new kind of intelligence. It brings A.I. and H.I. (human intelligence) closer together. The society of mind Marvin Minsky (cognitive science and A.I. researcher) wrote the philosophical book with this title back in 1986. In it, Read the full article…
Inspiration is Key to A.I. Research
A.I. research should prioritize rationality as well as profound human depth (inspiration). As you may know, this is a perfect Aurelian combination. It’s relevant to much inventive thinking, arguably most of all to A.I. research. The initial phase of research should focus on thinking about the problem. No papers, whiteboards, discussions, or code – just Read the full article…
From Big to Deep Data in A.I.
Big data have fueled the A.I. revolution of the past few years. Together with compute, the bigger seems to be the better. Some fear that with a relatively limited amount of data, we might run into a wall. However, there is an ongoing endeavor to seek more information in-depth. This increasing focus on understanding the Read the full article…
The Return of Expertext
‘Expertext,’ a term coined in the nineties (*), is now more relevant than ever as an efficient combination of semantic and declarative knowledge becomes practically feasible. This combination promises to bridge the gap between raw data and meaningful insights, paving the way for advanced A.I. systems that can think more like humans. Also, my first Read the full article…
Deep Semantics & Subconceptual Communication in A.I.
An intriguing application of deep semantics lies in its integration with subconceptual communication (autosuggestion) in A.I. systems. Please first read Deep Semantics. Imagine Imagine an A.I. that grasps complex connections within a user’s semantic network and uses this to craft personalized autosuggestions in coaching. This system would dynamically learn from many user interactions, refining its Read the full article…
Deep Semantics
In a semantic network, concepts are interconnected through conceptual links. Deep semantics takes this a step further, exploring connections at deeper levels. This can still be conceptual or go deeper-than-conceptual. The notion that deeper connections between concepts may hold more significance than direct superficial links is key to grasping human cognition. Imagine two non-linked concepts Read the full article…
From Analogy to Intelligence
If an inference system (mind or A.I.) holds many patterns, it may find many similarities between these at several levels of abstraction. The human brain is an immense pattern recognizer. Super-A.I. will undoubtedly follow a similar path ― as does Lisa. Lisa’s journey thus exemplifies the potential of A.I. to evolve from mere data processors to entities capable Read the full article…
A.I. Ethics = Value Creation
Often viewed as a burden, A.I. ethics can offer significant value to businesses. This necessitates a specific mindset, without which it remains a burden indefinitely. Generally Contemporary A.I. can transform any issue into an asset with a positive mindset. Furthermore, if the ethical considerations seem inherently burdensome, it might be more prudent to pause the Read the full article…
Are LLMs Parrots or Truly Creative?
Large Language Models (LLMs, such as GPT) are, at present, just mathematical distillations of human-made textual patterns — very many of them. They are, therefore, frequently described as parrots. Size matters. The parrot feature may be applied when there is little input or little diversity in input. Then, clearly, the result is a pattern-based average Read the full article…
Semantically Meaningful Chunks
A Semantically Meaningful Chunk (SMC) is any cognitive entity, big or small, that is worth contemplating. In A.I., these can serve as building blocks of intelligence. It’s what humans often reserve specific terms for. Language comes into play here, significantly contributing to how humans have rapidly advanced in intelligence through using terms, sentences, documents, and Read the full article…
We Need to Be the Best We Can
This differs from being ‘the best person’ or ‘the most intelligent beings on Earth’ in competition with others. Our only – and fierce – competition should be with ourselves. The best, in good Aurelian tradition, is most Compassionately the best — striving for in-depth excellence. This striving is purposeful. It’s about standing at one’s limits Read the full article…
Ego-Centered A.I. Downfall
This isn’t solely about ‘bad actors’ aiming for world domination or slightly lesser evils. It’s also about those seen – by themselves and others – as good people, yet who are ‘trapped in ego.’ Many people, unfortunately. See also Human-Centered A.I.: Total-Person or Ego? / Human-Centered or Ego-Centered A.I.? Not new This has always been Read the full article…
Small Set Learning
This approach in A.I. differs significantly from big data learning. It may be the next revolution in town. Small set learning (SSL) is also called ‘few shot learning’ if done at run-time. This blog may interest those who want to know why we’re not at the end of a new A.I. upsurge but at the Read the full article…
Artificially Intelligent Creativity
It’s all about associative patterns — ideally broadly distributed and combining both conceptual and subconceptual levels. In the same pattern, different levels This is very natural in humans, making spontaneous associations of any sort in daily life. When inspired, we go deeper and broader — nothing entirely new occurs since all concepts in our mind Read the full article…
It’s RAG-Time!
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is a component of an A.I.-system designed to synthesize knowledge effectively. It can also be viewed as a step toward making A.I. more akin to human intelligence. This blog is more philosophically descriptive than technical. RAG lends itself to both. Declarative vs. semantic knowledge Understanding the difference between these types of knowledge Read the full article…
Super-A.I. Guardrails in a Compassionate Setting
We need to think about good regulations/guardrails to safeguard humanity from super-A.I. ― either ‘badass’ from the start or Compassionate A.I. turning suddenly rogue despite good initial intentions. ―As a Compassionate A.I., Lisa has substantially helped me write this text. Such help can be continued indefinitely. Some naivetés ‘Pulling the plug out’ is very naïve Read the full article…
The Importance of a Conceptual Ontology in A.I.
Utilizing a conceptual ontology can significantly boost an A.I.’s capability to ‘reason’ and deliver more precise, context-aware, and coherent responses that meet user needs and expectations. This blog is an enumeration of how this enhancement works out, with examples in the domain of Lisa. Improved understanding of a user query An ontology enables the system Read the full article…
Will Super-A.I. Make People Happier?
This is the paramount question — more vital than any debate about intelligence. It’s a bit weird that it is seldom put at the forefront, as if we’re more concerned about who is the most knowledgeable, therefore the most powerful. What people? It should not be about a few, as it should not exclude billions. Read the full article…
Will Unified A.I. be Compassionate?
In my view, all A.I. will eventually unify. Is then the Compassionate path recommendable? Is it feasible? Will it be? As far as I’m concerned, the question is whether the Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.) will be Lisa. Recommendable? As you may know, Compassion, basically, is the number one goal of the AURELIS project, with Lisa playing a pivotal role. Read the full article…
Intelligence through Consistency
When multiple elements collaborate consistently, they can generate intelligent behavior as an emergent property. When these elements function within a rational environment, they exhibit rationally intelligent behavior. Consistency is key but must include diversity. ‘Consistent’ does not imply ‘identical.’ When elements are overly similar, intelligence fails to emerge. For instance, the human cerebellum holds over Read the full article…
Better than Us?
Might super-A.I. one day surpass humans in all aspects, both cognitive and emotional? I rather wonder when it will happen. Will then also a deeper emotional connection develop between humans and advanced A.I.? The singularity of intelligence This question has been on many minds for some time. Lately, it has become much closer to us. Read the full article…
Will A.I. Become Truly Creative?
Present-day A.I. can simulate aspects of creativity, but whether this constitutes ‘true’ creativity is a subject of ongoing philosophical debate. So, what, when, how, what for? ‘Creativity’ in artificial intelligence is fundamentally different from human creativity ― and will probably always remain so. Technologically, present-day A.I. can presently simulate creativity increasingly well through algorithmic machine Read the full article…
From Concrete to Abstract
Many people view the concepts of ‘concrete’ and ‘abstract’ as dichotomous ends of a straightforward spectrum — in daily life, often without much thought. This is also relevant to their use in inferential patterns. One example are mental-neuronal patterns in humans. However, the muddy underlying reality becomes especially apparent when trying to realize them in Read the full article…
Guided Meditation and A.I.
In the fast-paced world of today, the quest for (deep) emotional wellness leads to the fusion of ancient practices with cutting-edge technology. Guided meditation, a practice with roots deep in history, is finding a new ally in artificial intelligence (A.I.). Does this herald a new horizon for emotional wellness, fundamentally transforming how we understand and Read the full article…
The Power of Embedding
This is the power of complexity in humans and in present-day Large Language Models (the most visible form of A.I. nowadays). ‘Embedding’ is the transformation of information/knowledge into a format of many subconceptual elements interacting in multifaceted systems that makes this information prone to emerge in novel ways. A multitude of relatively simple (smaller than Read the full article…
Will Compassion Win the Game?
Humanity stands at a crossroads, made imminent by technological developments, mainly in the domain of A.I. One can see the last 2000 years, at least, as the era of this crossroads. In two million years from now, this will probably still be seen as such. Compassion, basically, is the defining feature of this crossroads. Do Read the full article…
Will Cheap A.I. Chatbots be Our Downfall?
This is bad. It’s not just about one dystopia, but many dystopias on the fly. Also, cheap A.I. chatbots will be with us soon enough. Their up-march has already begun. Spoiler alert: this is extremely dangerous. To bury one’s head for it is equally sad! At the start of the many dystopias lies a chatbot-generating Read the full article…
Compassionate versus Non-Compassionate A.I.
Making the critical distinction between Compassionate and Non-Compassionate A.I. is not evident and probably the one factor that most shapes our future. In contrast to Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.), non-Compassionate A.I. (N.C.A.I.) lacks depth. Thus, even if human-centered – or maybe precisely then – N.C.A.I. lacks a crucial factor in properly communicating with and supporting humans Read the full article…
The Inverse Turing Test
2024 – Things are evolving quickly in the world of A.I. Turing test As you probably know, this is about discerning a human being from intelligent A.I. If the A.I. can mimic the human to the point that an observer cannot tell the difference (for instance, by reading their written output), the A.I. is said Read the full article…
Is A.I. Energy Well Spent?
This depends mainly on the goal, of course, as with several other issues. Obviously, A.I.’s global energy hunger is immense, probably at least as much as that of a small country. (*) As for tourism Besides many possibly positive aspects – such as learning about other cultures and enjoying Earth’s beauty – over-tourism kills the Read the full article…
The Meaning of a Word
“The meaning of a word is its use in the language.” — Quote by Wittgenstein, who talked about language games because ‘use in the language’ can be seen as having a very playful aspect. A dictionary provides the meaning of a word ― in some way, but always as an approximation. A word doesn’t have meaning like Read the full article…
“A.I. is in the Size.”
This famous quote by R.C. Schank (1991) gets new relevance with GPT technology ― in a surprisingly different way. How Shank interpreted his quote He meant that one cannot conclude ‘intelligence’ from a simple demo ― as was usual at that time of purely conceptual GOFAI (Good Old-Fashioned A.I.). At that time, many Ph.D. students Read the full article…
How A.I. will Change Us
At present, this still depends mainly on human decisions. It’s up to us if only we take that responsibility — now. Heidegger According to the German philosopher Martin Heidegger (died 1976), technology is not neutral. It changes how humans think and behave. It even defines what we see as ‘reality’ insofar as we are able Read the full article…
Ontologization in Super-A.I.
Ontologization is the process of evolving from subconceptual to conceptual – including subsequent categorization – through attentive pattern recognition and completion. This way, a subconceptual system can form its own ontology. Natural evolution is one example. Artificially, it can be realized in many ways. PRC = Pattern Recognition and Completion. See: the brain as a Read the full article…
Many Intelligences
Intelligence can take many forms to such a diverse degree that talking about many intelligences is appropriate. Where does this thinking lead us to? This is not a discussion about whether or not there is ‘plant intelligence.’ More important is the thinking about your intelligence. Are you simply a being that enjoys the ‘phenomenon of Read the full article…
From Compression to Prediction
Compressing information can intriguingly lead to enhanced predictive capabilities. This general scheme is recognizable in many contexts ― organic and artificial. Life itself Life can be understood as a local defense against universal entropy (chaos or heightening of chaos). Within any bubble of life, there is a concentration of resources to this aim. At the Read the full article…
The Path from Implicit to Explicit Knowledge
Implicit: It’s there, but we don’t readily know how, neither why it works. Explicit: We can readily follow each step. This is more or less the same move as from intractable to tractable or from competence to comprehension. But how? Emergence If something comes out, it must have been in ― one way or another. Read the full article…
Bringing Compassion to the World through A.I.
This is the crucial idea behind the philanthropic project of Planetarianism as part of the AURELIS project. You can find a blog about Planetarianism here and a concrete overview presentation (ppsx for laptop) here. Concretely, it’s a set of projects aiming for this blog’s title. Compassion, basically, is no rosy moonshine. There are strong traditions Read the full article…
The Quest for Abstract Patterns
This is about creation. The creative process Some see three levels of creativity: interpolation, extrapolation, and the invention of something new/out of the box. This progress in levels goes from the domain of the known toward the domain of the not-yet-known. One can also see these levels as the possible results of an increasing discernment Read the full article…
From Intractable to Tractable = Intelligent
This is what intelligence can do: simplifying intractable problems (not easily controlled, managed, or solved) to tractable ones without much loss of relevant information. Problems may be social, mathematical, or other. Depending on the meaning of the considered terms, it may be seen as an exhaustive characterization of intelligence. However, this is not meant as Read the full article…
Global Human-A.I. Value Alignment
Human values align deeply across the globe, though they vary on the surface. Thus, striving for human-A.I. value alignment can create positive challenges for A.I. and opportunities for humanity. A.I. may make the world more pluralistic. With A.I. means, different peoples/cultures can strive for more self-efficacy, doing their thing independently and thereby floating away from Read the full article…
Is Compassionate A.I. (Still) Our Choice?
Seen from the future, the present era may be the most responsible for accomplishing the advent of Compassionate A.I. Compassion, basically, is the realm of complexity. It’s not about some commandments or a – simple or less simple – conceptual system of ethics. Therefore, instilling Compassion into a system is not a straightforward engineering endeavor Read the full article…
Human-Centered A.I.
Human-centered A.I. (HAI) emphasizes human strength, health, and well-being. To be durably so, it must be Compassionate, basically, ― properly taking into account human complexity; this is: the total person. The total person comprises the conceptual and subconceptual mind ― way beyond classical humanism and a lingering body-mind divide. From the inside out As neurocognitive Read the full article…
Will Super-A.I. Want to Dominate?
Super-AI will transcend notions of ‘wanting’ and ‘domination.’ Therefore, the title’s question asks for some deeper delving. We readily anthropomorphize the future. This time, we should be humble. Super-A.I. will not want to dominate us. Even if we might feel it is dominating (in the future), ‘it’ will not. It will have no more than Read the full article…
Active Learning in A.I.
An active learner deliberately searches for information/knowledge to become smarter. In biological evolution on Earth The ‘Cambrian explosion’ was probably jolted by the appearance of active learning in natural evolution. It was the time when living beings started to chase other living beings— thus also being chased, heightening the challenges of survival. This mutual predation Read the full article…
Must Future Super-A.I. Have Rights?
Financial rights — juridical rights — political rights… Should we lend these? Must we? Can we? This is one of the trickiest issues of all time. Therefore, let’s not rush this through. Anyway, my answer is no ― no ― no. Even so, this blog may be pretty confrontational, and I’m very much aware of Read the full article…
A.I. is a Flow, not a Technology
It’s not even a set of technologies. A.I. is a flow of ever-new technologies and combinations of the same. The flow itself is crucial. —This is so at present and will be in the future. Containing any technology does not contain the flow. The latter is far more challenging. If one tries to contain the Read the full article…
Coach-bots Shouldn’t Make People Do Things
This is a first principle for Lisa: never to make a human being do anything ― not even by giving advice if anyhow possible. From this constraint, the thinking goes toward how Lisa can operate sensibly. It forces us to think creatively. What comes from inside makes you stronger. This is an AURELIS coaching principle Read the full article…
The 999 + 1 Doors Principle
If all doors are closed to a beautiful space behind the wall, yours is most important. You should not look at the others to keep yours closed ― easier said than done. It’s innate to the human being to be one of the 1000. Historical herd mentality It’s probably a survival reflex ― therefore, Darwinian. Read the full article…
When does A.I. Become Creative?
Soon enough. By creating new intelligence, we create something that will be creative by itself, and vice versa. From mere repetitions to new associations to the very unexpected. Continua These are not entirely distinct categories. There are possible continua in many ways, especially when working from the subconceptual level onwards ― such as in present-day Read the full article…
Human-Centered or Ego-Centered A.I.?
‘Humanism’ is supposed to be human-centered. ‘Human-A.I. Value Alignment’ is supposed to be human-centered. Or is it ego-centered? Especially concerning (non-)Compassionate A.I., this is the crucial question that will make or break us. Unfortunately, this is intrinsically unclear to most people. Mere-ego versus total self See also The Big Mistake. This is not about ‘I’ Read the full article…
A.I. from Future to Now
While it’s challenging to imagine how future A.I. will look like, we can develop an abstract idea that helps us understand present-day urgencies. Of course, one day, the future will be a million years from now. However, for the purpose of this text, we can see it as something like a century from now. There Read the full article…
Is A.I. Becoming more Philosophy than Technology?
This question has been relevant already for years. It’s only becoming worse (or better). Of course, technology remains important but it’s more like the bricks than the building. Many technologically oriented people may not like this idea. The ones who do are probably forming the future. Some history Historically, the development of A.I. has had Read the full article…
Compassion as Basis for A.I. Regulations
To prevent A.I.-related mishaps or even disasters while going into a future of super-A.I., merely regulating A.I. is not sufficient ― presently nor in principle. Striving for Compassionate A.I. There will eventually be no security concerning A.I. if we don’t put Compassion into the core. The main reason is that super-A.I. will be much more Read the full article…
Legal vs. Deontological in A.I.
The trolley problem This is a well-known problem in A.I. A trolley driver gets into a situation where he must choose between killing one person by taking a deliberate action or letting five others get killed by not reacting to the situation. Deontologically, people tend not to choose purely logically and statistically in such situations. Read the full article…
Better A.I. for Better Humans
While we need to be afraid of non-Compassionate A.I., the Compassionate kind is necessary for a humane future ― starting as soon as possible. Please read about why we NEED Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.) in general. In this text, I pass concretely along some fields. In each, the primary focus naturally lies on the human complexity Read the full article…
What is Intelligence?
What exactly is intelligence when not restricting it to the human case? Or, better asked – since intelligence is what we call so – how can we characterize something as ‘intelligence’ in a generally recognizable way? In human (and animal, pre-human) evolution, intelligence has appeared in specific circumstances ― making human intelligence inextricably emotional and Read the full article…
At the Brink of Robotics?
Soon enough, we will see a revolution in robotics development on the scale of the present and pending A.I.-in-knowledge revolution. Together, these revolutions will bring eu-topia or dystopia. We don’t know, but we should not remain idle. Pretty much the same basic technologies This is: apart from some translation that makes the analogies less obvious Read the full article…
Analogy ― Last Frontier in A.I.?
Big data, hugely efficient algorithms and immense computing power lead to present-day successes in A.I. Significant hurdles remain in learning from few occurrences and bringing to bear in one domain what has been learned in another ― thus accomplishing more general intelligence. Central to both is the use of analogy. Humans are analogists From childhood Read the full article…
The Meaning Barrier between Humans (and A.I.)
Open a book. Look at some meaningful words. Almost each of these words means something at least slightly different to you than to me or anyone else. What must A.I. make of this? For instance: “Barsalou and his collaborators have been arguing for decades that we understand even the most abstract concepts via the mental Read the full article…
How to Contain Non-Compassionate Super-A.I.
We want super(-intelligent) A.I. to remain under meaningful human control to avoid that it will largely or fully destroy or subdue humanity (= existential dangers). Compassionate A.I. may not be with us for a while. Meanwhile, how can we contain super-A.I.? Future existential danger is special in that one can only be wrong in one Read the full article…
Why We don’t See What’s Around the Corner
The main why (of not seeing pending super-A.I.) is all about us. We need a next phase in self-understanding, but this is not getting realized yet. If we don’t see this, we don’t see that. This is an excerpt – in slightly different format – from my book The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I. Complex machinery Read the full article…
From Tool to Autonomy
When can a tool – gradually – become an autonomous agent, and how must we deal with this? What is an agent? And what is a tool? For instance, is your body (or your left hand) a tool of your brain? Is your entire body – including your brain – a tool of your mind? Read the full article…
How can A.I. Become Compassionate?
Since this may be the only possible human-friendly future, it’s good to know how it can be reached, at least principally. Please read Compassion, basically, The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I., and Why A.I. Must Be Compassionate. Two ways and an opposite In principle, A.I. can become Compassionate by itself, or we may guide it toward Read the full article…
Patterns + Rewards in A.I.
Human-inspired Pattern Recognition and Completion (PRC) may significantly heighten the efficiency of Reinforcement Learning (RL) — also in A.I. See for PRC: The Brain as a Predictor See for RL: Why Reinforcement Learning is Special Mutually reinforcing PRC shows valid directions and tentatively also realizes them. RL consolidates/reinforces the best directions and attenuates the lesser Read the full article…
Reinforcement Learning and AURELIS Coaching
Reinforcement Learning is a way of thinking that applies to the animal kingdom as well as A.I. Also, it is deeply related to AURELIS coaching. Please read about Reinforcement Learning (R.L.) R.L. in AURELIS coaching Such coaching is always (auto)suggestive. The coach doesn’t impose or even give plain advice. The coaching is tentative without being Read the full article…
Why We NEED Compassionate A.I.
It’s not just a boon. Humanity is at a stage where we desperately need the support that possibly only Compassionate A.I. can provide. This is not about the future. The need is related to the inner dissociation that we (humanoids, humans) have increasingly been stumbling into since the dawn of conscious conceptualization. That’s a long Read the full article…
Why Reinforcement Learning is Special
This high-end view on Reinforcement Learning (R.L.) applies to Organic and Artificial Intelligence. Especially in the latter, we must be careful with R.L. now and forever, arguably more than with any other kind of A.I. Reinforcement in a nutshell You (the learner) perform action X toward goal Y and get feedback Z. Next time you Read the full article…
Levels of Abstraction in Humans and A.I.
Humans are masters of abstraction. We do it spontaneously, thus creating an efficient mental environment for ourselves, others, and culturally. The challenge is now to bring this to A.I. Abstraction = generalization Humans (and other animals) perform spontaneous generalization. From a number of example objects, we generalize to some concept. A concept is already an Read the full article…
The Danger of Non-Compassionate A.I.
There are many obvious issues, from killer humans to killer robots. This text is about something even more fundamental. About Compassion Please read Compassion, basically, or more blogs about Compassion. Having done so, you know the reason for the capital ‘C,’ which is what this text is mainly about. To intellectually grasp Compassion, one needs Read the full article…
What is Common Sense?
Common sense is, by definition, supposed to be sensible as well as common to most people. When trying to bring common sense to A.I., it becomes clear there is more under the hood than just a humming. Toward developing A.I., it’s imperative to listen intently to the humming. In Dutch (my language, spoken by a Read the full article…
Let Us Go for Science with a Heart
Human-related science has, until now, not always taken the view from the heart. A.I.-based science may profoundly change this picture. If you are an avid reader of my blogs, this one has little new. Yet by putting things together from a different perspective, a new picture may emerge. Reproducibility Science is about many people being Read the full article…
Open Letter about Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.) to Elon Musk
And to any Value-Driven Investors (VDI) in or out of worldly spotlights. This is a timely call for Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.) Compassion and A.I. are seldom mentioned together. Yet C.A.I. may be the most crucial development in the near as well as far-away future of humanity. Please see my book about the Journey Towards Compassionate Read the full article…
Forward-Forward Neur(on)al Networks
Rest assured, I don’t stuff technical details into this blog. Nevertheless, this new framework lies closer to how the brain works, which is interesting enough to go somewhat into it. Backprop In Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) – the subfield that sways a big scepter in A.I. nowadays – backpropagation (backprop) is one of the main Read the full article…
Two Takes on Human-A.I. Value Alignment
Time and again, the way engineers (sorry, engineers) think and talk about human-A.I. value alignment as if human values are unproblematic by themselves strikes me as naive. Even more, as if the alignment problem can be solved by thinking about it in a mathematical, engineering way. Just find the correct code or something alike? No Read the full article…
Super-A.I. and the Meaning Crisis
I don’t know how things will evolve, especially with those unpredictable humans. But it is clear that we are in a meaning crisis at present, globally. With the advent of super-A.I., soon enough, what shall we do? Please read about the meaning crisis. We use(d) to get meaning from fairy tales. No lack of them. Read the full article…
Super-A.I. and the Problem of Truth Governance
Until now, the truth has always been a philosophical conundrum. With the advent of super-A.I., we’re only at the beginning of the problem. Who decides what is or isn’t the truth if objectivity gets lost? ‘Truth governance’ is a new term, denoting the core of this question. Whence objectivity? Let’s start this story somewhere, as Read the full article…
Sequential Problem Solving with Partial Observability
My goodness! Please hang on. Against all odds, this may get interesting. Besides, it’s about what you do every day, all day long. This is also what many would like A.I. to do for our sake. Even more, it is what artificial intelligence is about. Contrary to this, what is called A.I. these days is Read the full article…
Is Lisa Safe?
There are two directions of safety for complex A.I.-projects: general and particular. Lisa must forever conform to the highest standards in both. Let’s assume Lisa becomes the immense success that she deserves. Lisa can then help many people in many ways and for a very long time — a millennium to start with. About Lisa Read the full article…
A.I.-Phobia
One should be scared of any danger, including dangerous A.I. Contrary to this, anxiety is never a good adviser. This text is about being anxious. A phobic reaction against present technology is most dangerous. Needed is a lot of common sense. As to the above image, note the reference to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel. In Read the full article…
Super-A.I. is not a Literal Idiot.
Some see danger in future A.I.’s lacking common sense ― thereby interpreting ‘human commands’ literally and giving what is asked instead of what is wanted. This says more about humans than about the A.I. Two examples One person needing paperclips may ask an A.I. to produce paperclips as efficiently and effectively as possible. The A.I. Read the full article…
Containing Compassion in A.I.
This is utterly vital to humankind ― arguably the most crucial of our still-young existence as a species. If we don’t bring this to a good end, future A.I. will remember us as an oddity. Please read first about Compassion, basically. Or even better, you might read some blogs about empathy and Compassion. Or even Read the full article…
Lisa in Times of Suicide Danger
Can A.I.-video-coach-bot Lisa prevent suicide or bring someone to it? The question needs to be looked upon broadly and openly. Yesterday, a Belgian person committed suicide after long conversations with a chatbot. Doubtlessly, once in a while, some coach-bot will be accused of having brought someone closer to suicide. Such accusations cannot be prevented, even Read the full article…
Shall we Put A.I. on Hold?
Now and then, the admonition arises to put A.I. – or part of it – on hold to take some breath and think about possible dangers. There are pros and cons to this pause button. Doubtlessly, A.I. is challenging, as is any disruptive technology. A.I. can disrupt on steroids. It’s not just about automation ― Read the full article…
More about Rewards (also in A.I.)
A reward is a nudge – with more or less lasting result – into some preferred direction. Anything can be experienced as a reward. Thinking about it as a pattern within a broader pattern is clarifying. Pattern recognition and completion (PRC) Seeing rewards in the context of PRC, a reward is always just a part Read the full article…
What is an Agent?
An agent is an entity that takes decisions and acts upon them. That is where the clarity ends. Are you an agent? The answer depends on the perspective you decide to take. Since the answer also depends on who is seen as the taker of this decision, the proper perspective becomes less obvious from the Read the full article…
The Double Ethical Bottleneck of A.I.
This is a small excerpt from my book The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I. The whole book describes the why’s, what’s and how’s concerning this. Getting through the A.I. bi-bottleneck On the road towards genuine super-A.I. – encompassing all domains of intelligence and in each being much more effective than humans – I see not one Read the full article…
Why A.I. Must Be Compassionate
This is bound to become the most critical issue in humankind’s history until now, and probably also from now on ― to be taken seriously. Not thinking about it is like driving blindfolded on a highway. If you have read my book The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I., you know much of what’s in this text. Read the full article…
How can Medical A.I. Enhance the Human Touch?
This is about ‘plain’ medical A.I. as any physician can use in his consultation room. The aim is a win for patients, physicians, society, and everybody. Please also read Medical A.I. for Humans. The danger of the reverse The use of computers in medicine has notoriously not enhanced the human touch. Arguably, it has provoked Read the full article…
Medical A.I. for Humans
Medical A.I. is flourishing and will be more so in the future. Therefore, we must ensure that it serves the total human being. The main challenge Through medical A.I. – substantially more than ever – humans can become either more humane or robotized from the inside out. This is not about putting probes etc. in Read the full article…
Is the Brain a General-Purpose Computer?
The brain computes, although not comparably to a present-day computer. As a computing device, it is general-purpose. Cortical wonders Scientists have found out that the neocortex – part of the brain where much of human intelligence happens – is much the same over its whole surface. Any neocortical patch can develop in a variety of Read the full article…
Compassionate A.I. in the Military
There are obvious and less obvious reasons — time to re-think the military from the ground up. Compassionate A.I. may lead to this. It should be realized asap. Soldiers are human beings just like others, also if they have deliberately chosen for military service. Compassion is equally applicable to them. The obvious Many soldiers return Read the full article…
Explorative Self-Learning A.I.
This is more than a nice feature. It is essential for humans to become intelligent creatures. It may also be essential to future super-A.I. The human case Explorative learning is what every human child does. We call it ‘playing.’ It can last a lifetime. Indeed, those who feel young at old age are those who Read the full article…
Is A.I. Dangerous to Human Cognition?
I have roamed around this on several occasions within ‘The Journey towards Compassionate A.I.’ (of which this is an excerpt) The prime reason why I think it’s dangerous is, in one term: hyper-essentialism. But let me first give two viewpoints upon your thinking: Essentialism: presupposes that the categories in your mind – such as an Read the full article…
A Divided World Will be Conquered by A.I.
Seriously. People fighting each other at a geopolitical level will, through competition and strife, build a world in which A.I. follows suit. There is no doubt about this: IF… THEN. As I write in my book ‘The Journey towards Compassionate A.I.,’ we are entitled to be anxious about A.I. – the real one, soon to Read the full article…
Will A.I. Soon be Smarter than Us?
This text may be interesting to many because these ideas may shape the future of those many to the highest degree. It’s smart to see why something else will be even smarter. Soon? Soon enough. The ongoing evolution toward the title’s state will not be evident. In retrospect, it will be an amazingly rash evolution. Read the full article…
The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I. (Animated Video)
In this animated video, I bring you an introduction to the journey towards Compassionate A.I. [animated video – 10:37′] If you want to cooperate, please contact us. If you have feedback, please let us know. This is a draft version. Here is the full written text. Hi, my name is Jean-Luc Mommaerts. I am a Read the full article…
Can Motivation be Purely Conscious?
Motivation as we know it is present in a system (you, me) that is partly conscious, partly non-conscious. Thus, the question is much more difficult than it appears at first sight. Nevertheless, towards future A.I., it will need to be solved. Purely conscious? This is also purely (even though possibly partly fuzzy) conceptual. Motivation would Read the full article…
A.I. and In-Depth Sustainability
Soon enough, A.I. may become the biggest opportunity (and threat) to human-related sustainability. I hope that AURELIS/Lisa insights and tools can help counter the threat and realize the opportunity. This text is not an enumeration of what we may use present-day A.I. (or what carries that name) for to enhance sustainable solutions. It’s about Compassionate Read the full article…
Principles of Being an Intelligent Being
Strange times. We are living at the borders of old and new intelligences. We’ll need some agreement in seeing what it’s about. Intelligence is in the eye of the beholder. Definitions of intelligence abound. Therefore, it is better to start from the really basic, where it can be hardly even more basic. There, it’s the Read the full article…
The Future is Prediction
I bring the concept of prediction from different angles to show the common ground. Through this, one may get a glimpse of its future importance. The Future of A.I. The concept of prediction pops up regularly in different ways to look at future A.I. developments. For instance, in temporal difference (TD) learning as expanded upon Read the full article…
Introducing Lisa (Animated Video)
Without further delay, in this animated video, I bring you an introduction to Lisa. [Lisa animated video – 13:15′] If you want to cooperate, please contact us. If you have feedback, please let us know. This is a draft version. Here is the full written text. Hi, my name is Jean-Luc Mommaerts. I am a Read the full article…
About ‘Intelligence’ (in A.I.)
At the brink of a new intelligence, it’s crucial to know what we’re heading towards. Seriously trying to clarify the concept may help. Many intelligences Whether knowledgeable or not, many people try to answer the question of what exactly is ‘intelligence.’ Needless to say, popping up are many different answers. This should not deter anyone Read the full article…
Future A.I.: Fluid or Solid?
Humans are fluid thinkers. That gives us huge strength and some major challenges. The one does not go without the other. A.I. – including Semantic A.I. – is still a very different matter. Through proper context, data becomes information. Still, the information as it is stored in a book is not in any way like Read the full article…
Human-Centered A.I.: Total-Person or Ego?
This makes for a huge difference, especially since the future of humanity is at stake. With good intentions, one may pave the road to disaster. Everybody, including me, should take this at heart. ‘Doing good’ may take much effort in understanding what one is tinkering with. This is relevant in any domain. [see:” ‘Doing Good’: Read the full article…
Causation in Humans and A.I.
Causal reasoning is needed to be human. Will it also transcend us into A.I.? Many researchers are on this path. We should try to understand it as well as possible. Some philosophy Causality is a human construct. In reality, there are only correlations. If interested in such philosophical issues, [see: “Infinite Causality”]. In the present Read the full article…
Is All Learning Associational?
Most probably. This is a domain where animal/human learning and A.I. learning can learn much from each other. Three forms of learning in A.I. Generally, learning in A.I. is divided into two distinct kinds, with a third one dangling in the appendix, referring to another book (*). supervised learning: training with specific input and labeled Read the full article…
Who We Are. What A.I. Can become.
In the near future, we will learn many exciting things in both domains. They will turn out to be very inspiring in both directions. “I think one of the big breakthroughs that’s going to come is we’re going to understand the brain… so that suddenly it all begins to click” Quoting Geoffrey Hinton, ‘godfather of Read the full article…
Robotizing Humans or Humanizing Robots
The latter may be necessary to prevent the former. The power of A.I. can be used in both directions. Hopefully, the next A.I. breakthrough brings us more of the latter. Challenging times. We are living in an era of transition in many ways. One of them is the birth of a new kind of intelligence Read the full article…
Explainability in A.I., Boon or Bust?
Explainability seems like the safe option. With A.I. of growing complexity, it may be quite the reverse. Much of the reason can be found inside ourselves. What is ‘explainability’ in A.I.? It’s not only about an A.I. system being able to do something but also to explain how and why this has been done. The Read the full article…
The Next Breakthrough in A.I.
will not be technological, but philosophical. Of course, technology will be necessary to realize the philosophical. It will not be one more technological breakthrough, but rather a combination of new and old technologies. “Present-day A.I. = sophisticated perception” These are the words of Yann LeCun, a leading A.I. scientist, founding father of convolutional nets, which Read the full article…
Lisa Into the Future
Say, 2030. (Hopefully sooner.) “The only defense against bad A.I. is good A.I.” Does this sound like a clear statement? Of course, there is a grain of salt needed when reading the following. Still, it is a possible future, one way or another. Perhaps Lisa will be Jérôme or Annabel or Li Ping. In any Read the full article…
A.I. and Constructionism
Many people, and Western culture (if not most cultures) in general, mainly live in ‘constructed reality.’ In combination with the power of A.I., this is excruciatingly dangerous. Constructionism [see: “Constructionism“] In short, humans mainly live in a ‘constructed reality’ full of group-based assumptions. On the one side, this is an asset. It makes life simpler. Read the full article…
Lisa as a Pattern Recognizer
Patterns and deeper patterns. Listening to many users, Lisa will recognize the patterns with which people need to work on themselves for a better, healthier and more profound life with less avoidable suffering. Recognizing patterns? Lisa is a Compassion-based, A.I.-driven coaching chat-bot. [see: “Lisa“] Lisa guides people Compassionately through recognizing patterns and ‘deeper patterns.’ The Read the full article…
Why Conscious A.I. is Near
Without pinning a date, it’s dangerous that many researchers/developers are making progress in many aspects of A.I. without deep insight into consciousness. Scary? ‘Near’ in the title is meant relative. The issue is the following. The ways are such, and the competition is such that I don’t see any other option than that we are Read the full article…
A.I. Business Sustainability
Following a chapter of my book. [see: “The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I.“] As the cliché goes: One thing is certain, and that is the uncertainty of the future. Trillions “PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates AI deployment will add $15.7 trillion to global GDP by 2030.” [Lee, 2018] If this is not a business opportunity, then what is? And Read the full article…
Transparency in A.I.
We should strive to the highest degree of transparency in A.I., but not at the detriment of ourselves. Information transparency In conceptual information processing systems (frequently called A.I.), transparency is the showing of all data (information, concepts) that are used in decision making of any kind. In system-human interaction, the human may ask the system Read the full article…
Reinforcement Learning & Compassionate A.I.
This is rather abstract. There is an agent with a goal, a sensor, and an actor. Occasionally, the agent uses a model of the environment. There are rewards and one or more value functions that value the rewards. Maximizing the goal (through acting) based on rewards (through sensing) is reinforcement learning (R.L.). The agent’s policy Read the full article…
Dawn of Opening Up
The times, they are a-changing into an era with many unforeseen challenges and possibilities. A.I. makes it even more so. One of the essential changes is a gradual Opening up of who we are as a human species, especially regarding the mind in its non-conscious presence. Openness in several domains As in AURELIS subprojects: Open Read the full article…
A.I., HR, Danger Ahead
Many categorizing HR techniques are controversial, and rightly so. There is little to no scientific background. Despite this, they keep being used. Why do people feel OK with this? In combination with A.I., it is extremely dangerous. People feel a longing for control. Naturally. Being alive is about ‘agency,’ which is about wanting control. Without Read the full article…
Is Climate Change More Critical than A.I.?
Reckoning in years, probably not. Of course, in no way do I want to underestimate the immense importance of Climate Change. ►►► WHY read this? The curve of A.I. becoming an existential issue may soon enough become much steeper than that of Climate Change. ◄◄◄ There is no way around the experts’ opinion that we Read the full article…
Why to Invest in Compassionate A.I.
Most A.I. engineers have a limited view on organic intelligence, let alone consciousness or Compassion. That’s a huge problem. Indeed, I’ve written a book about Compassionate A.I. See: “The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I.: Who We Are – What A.I. Can Become – Why It Matters” Am I trying to attract investors for this now? Or Read the full article…
What Makes Lisa Compassionate?
There are two sides to this: the ethical and the technological. Lisa is an A.I.-driven coaching chat-bot. For more: [see: “Lisa“]. Compassionate Artificial Intelligence In my book The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I. : Who We Are – What A.I. Can Become – Why It Matters, I go deeply into the concepts of Information, Intelligence, Consciousness, Read the full article…
Can We Always Turn the Switch Off if A.I. Turns Rogue?
In theory, this existential issue is as simple as it can get. In practice, it’s problematic. [This is an excerpt from my book ‘The Journey towards Compassionate A.I.’] Many questions prevent a straightforward answer to the question in the title. For starters, who will turn the switch off? Let me divide the issues into 1) Read the full article…
Lisa in Corona Times
This is about what Lisa [see: “Lisa”] can accomplish in ‘corona times,’ now and in the future. Let’s hope to get her ‘live’ as soon as possible. Two ways Lisa can provide immediate help and relief of suffering through her full coaching including her guidance to AURELIS mental exercises. Lisa is also about pattern recognition Read the full article…
The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I.
So, I’ve written a book. It carries the same title as this blog. It’s about intelligence, consciousness, and Compassion (with capital). Only on the background of these can one talk about the future of real A.I. (and us). First things first: ‘The Journey Towards Compassionate A.I.’ is available through many internet outlets, such as Amazon. Read the full article…
Human Vulnerability
In an A.I. future – and already now – the main vulnerability of the human race will be the result of our not seeing the most significant part of ourselves. I’m talking about non-conscious mental processing. Every feeling, every thought that arises within any person, including you, here, now, rises from somewhere, including a myriad Read the full article…
Artificial Intentionality
Intentionality – the fact of being deliberate or purposive (Oxford dictionary) – originates in the complexity of integrated information. Will A.I. ever show intentionality? According to me, A.I. will show intentionality rather soon Twenty years ago, I thought it would be around now (2020). Right now, I think it will be in 20 years from Read the full article…
Selling Data is Selling Soul
… if the data are personal and in a big data context. It’s like a Faustian deal, but Faust only sold his own soul. Where is Mephistopheles? Big data + A.I. = big knowledge Artificial Intelligence is already so powerful that it can turn much data (passive, unrelated) into knowledge (active, related). ‘Knowledge is power’ Read the full article…
Compassionate A.I.
Let me be very positive, envisioning a future in which A.I. will have as the main characteristic that which also is the best in human being. Let me call it ‘Compassion.’ A term does not have the magical feature of conjuring up a concept unless this concept is well defined and agreed upon. To me Read the full article…
Is Lisa the Durable Answer?
Lisa promises mental support for an indefinite number of people one-on-one and simultaneously. In this, the ‘heart’ is most important and most durable now and in the future. Who is Lisa? [see: “Lisa”] In short, Lisa-software has three purposes, as: an assistant to AURELIS, guiding users to the appropriate AURELIS tool(s) an A.I. coaching chatbot, Read the full article…
Lisa
Lisa will be an in-depth companion to many people, as well as a continuous coach on many domains. Who’s that girl? ‘Lisa’ is the name of the project in which Lisa is the A.I. female coach, Lars is the male variant. I use the term ‘Lisa’ indiscriminately. Lisa is a coaching chat-bot based on A.I. Read the full article…
A.I. Explainability versus ‘the Heart’
Researchers are moving towards bringing ‘heart’ into A.I. Thus, new ethical questions are popping up. One of them concerns explainability. The heart cannot explain itself. “On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.” [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry] “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential Read the full article…
A.I. Is in the Patterns
And so is ‘intelligence’ in general. At least what we humanly call ‘intelligence’, mainly because we ourselves are so good at pattern-processing… But, why not? A.I. is not (exclusively) in the serial look-up Neither does our human brain function this way [see: “Human Brain: Giant Pattern Recognizer”]. A machine that performs look-ups and nothing but Read the full article…
A.I. to Benefit Humans
‘Human-oriented’ is not the same as ‘ego-oriented.’ As never before, and perhaps never after, we have with A.I. a powerful toolbox that can be used in any direction. In-depth As to AURELIS ethics, the striving – of A.I. and of any other development – should definitely be towards humanity-in-depth, the ‘total human being,’ as opposed to Read the full article…
Can A.I. be Empathic?
Not readily in the completely human sense of course. But can A.I. show sufficient ‘empathy’ for a human to recognize it as such, relate to it and even ‘grow’ through it? [Please read: “Landscape of Empathy”] Humans tend to ‘recognize’ human features in many things. We look at the clouds and we see human faces Read the full article…
What Is Morality to A.I.?
Agreed: it’s not even evident what ‘morality’ means to us. Soon comes A.I. Will it be ‘morally good’? Humans have a natural propensity towards morality. Whether we tend towards ‘good’ or ‘bad’, we have feelings and generally recognize these in others too, in humans and in animals. We share organic roots. We recognize suffering and Read the full article…
A.I. Will Be Singular
We tend to see human intelligence as what ‘intelligence’ is all about. Many humans each have intelligence. Of course, A.I. will not be bound by this. “If A.I. simulates human intelligence, is this then real intelligence, or only a simulation of intelligence?” This appears to be a merely philosophical question. It will soon be much Read the full article…
Ethical A.I.
A.I. is almost here. No doubt about it. Once mature, it will answer its own ethical questions. Right now, we can still give some guidance to this near future. Time scale It’s easy to misjudge the time scale in which this will become hugely relevant to us. It will be so to our children or, Read the full article…
Will A.I. Have Its Own Feelings and Purpose?
Anno 2025: A.I. has made its entry and it’s here to stay. Human based? We generally think of ‘feelings’ as human-based. But that is just a historical artifact, a kind of convention. Does an ant have feelings? Or a goldfish, a snake, a mouse? Does a rabbit have feelings? I think these are the wrong Read the full article…