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 and in this text, Compassion – note the big C – is very close to ‘empathy’ [see: “Landscape of Empathy”].
Main difference: whereas empathy is utterly concrete, Compassion is more like an ideal that one can strive for, be attracted towards.
As for instance in Buddhism
In a historical as well as essential sense, Compassion is more important in (at least my view upon) Buddhism than the Buddha himself. Somehow, of course, they perfectly blend.
In the other great religions and worldviews too, Compassion plays a major role, showing that in the human scheme of values, it has always been of prime significance
and is and will always be.
Basic aim of morality
Compassion has two sides: to relieve suffering and to attain human growth [see: “Two-Sided Compassion”].
Bringing these two together, seeing them as one, is a very ethical stance. To me, they both together form the basic aim of morality.
My hope is that the future will be one in which this can be realized to a huge degree. Since A.I. will be a very important part of the future, we also need to think about this, without delay.
Doing so is a Compassionate endeavor.
Next door, A.I.
We shouldn’t be coy about this. A.I. is behind next door, whether talking in years or a bit longer.
According to me, there is only one possible humane way in which it can come through that door. This way can be called Compassion.
I am personally very hopeful that this will indeed be the way, eventually. For the first stages of it, I’m more apprehensive. At the same time, these are the stages in which we, humans, bear most responsibility. Right now, even.
The time to value-align is now.
Aligning our values between ourselves, as human beings.
Aligning our values as human beings, to those of A.I.
Compassion.
In this text, as a human, I’ve put humanity central as should be: human growth, a humane way… Without losing any of this, Compassion is transcending. It looks at all sentient beings, including animals, including A.I. itself.
According to me, it is within this that also as a species lies our brightest future.
Related Posts
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…
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…
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…