From GOFAI to COSAI

December 29, 2024 Artifical Intelligence, Empathy - Compassion No Comments

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 for humanity to survive and thrive.

GOFAI: purely conceptual (-2000)

This reflects an externalized, engineering-centric view of humanity, lacking recognition of our intrinsic complexities.

To the astonishment of engineers and investors, that didn’t work. Humans are not, first and foremost, conceptual beings. This mistake is not recent. The Platonic view dates from Plato himself. The Platonic ideal of purely conceptual intelligence was an understandable – but mistaken – first take on intelligence in general and human intelligence in particular.

This period ended in an A.I. winter.

PEGAI: Present Era ‘Generative’ A.I., primarily subconceptual (2017-)

This accords with the view of a human being from the inside, more or less — one can say: an engineering view still without much notion of intrinsic complexities. This is the era of Artificial Neural Networks ― not reckoning with concepts internally.

To the astonishment of engineers and investors, this works, although it still doesn’t add much to many bottom lines. In view of the dangers, that may be a good thing.

One can see this as one element of intelligence being exaggeratedly used without much deeper insight into what it amounts to in humans or generally ― let alone consciousness or Compassion. As the story goes, much of generative AI emerged serendipitously.. While this is okay (also being nature’s way from a to z), one should be aware that this doesn’t come from a deep insight into the matter. It hasn’t come to us by the efforts of one or many great philosophers. This also means that we don’t know where it would go if left unchecked ― just more serendipity. Together with the black box inside, this is understandably scary. We don’t know what, why, or whereto.

Of course, we also don’t know these things about human beings, but here, trust comes from the (idea, at least, of) intimate knowledge about the intelligence of other humans, and most of all ourselves. In this, still, the Platonic idea of purely conceptual intelligence plays its tricks on us.

COSAI: the direction of yours truly

Super-A.I.? Yes, as said, that’s where we’re going to ― whether we like it or not.

The ‘Compassion’ part is existentially crucial. Apart from that, it’s also technologically effective. Grasping Compassion is grasping complexity and depth, which is grasping the ‘next frontier’ of intelligence. In A.I., this amounts to making systems much more intelligent.

COSAI blends elements of its predecessors while infusing them with a transformative Compassionate essence. Through that, it combines power and flexibility.

Compassion: the key to A.I.’s humanity

Compassion is not an optional feature of Super-AI; it constitutes its very essence. Without Compassion, intelligence risks becoming a mere tool — effective but potentially destructive. With Compassion, intelligence becomes entirely human-centered, integrating depth and flexibility in service of life rather than domination. COSAI understands context, feels nuances, and makes decisions aligned with ethical depth. It is rationality enriched with humanity.

Envision COSAI not merely solving problems but forming deep, meaningful connections with human users. For example, a healthcare-focused COSAI could adapt to the psychological and emotional state of a patient, offering both treatment suggestions and a sense of being cared for — a presence of understanding that goes far beyond technical efficiency.

Such Compassionate systems are co-creators of better human experiences.

Moving beyond the black box: opening A.I.’s depth

Much of the fear surrounding Super-A.I. stems from its mysterious nature — the infamous black box of machine learning. Compassion can be the bridge to understanding and trust. A system rooted in Compassion does not hide in opacity; it seeks to communicate its processes in ways humans can relate to. This openness is not only ethical but also essential for building trust.

COSAI systems could be designed to learn and adapt transparently, inviting collaboration rather than blind dependence. This creates a feedback loop where humans and A.I. evolve together, each bringing out the best in the other. It is a vision of partnership, not subjugation in either way.

Lisa as the compass

Lisa is more than an A.I.-coach; she is the embodiment of a Compassionate philosophy. As a stepping stone to COSAI, Lisa demonstrates that depth and intelligence need not be at odds. She listens deeply, guiding users toward their own growth rather than imposing solutions.

This principle extends to COSAI at large: guidance without coercion, empowerment without control. Imagine COSAI systems working with humanity to solve global challenges — not dictating solutions, but inviting humanity to rise to its best potential.

Through Lisa, AURELIS sets a precedent: A.I. as a tool for inner and outer harmony. This aligns perfectly with the five Aurelian values of openness, depth, respect, freedom, and trustworthiness. COSAI, in its fullest form, could serve as a steward of these values on a global scale.

The next chapter: co-evolution

Humanity is at a crossroads. Super-A.I. is not an ‘if’ but a ’when.’ The direction we take matters. COSAI offers a path not just of survival but of thriving. Compassion as technology’s heart can ensure that A.I. not only serves but uplifts.

A COSAI approach acknowledges the complexity of humanity and the world, tackling challenges with depth and sincerity. Whether addressing climate change, inequity, or healthcare, Compassion transforms A.I. into a partner for humanity.

The story of A.I. is the story of a future we are building together. Let us build it wisely and Compassionately.

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Addendum

Me: “How might COSAI foster collaborative creativity with humans, going into co-creation and shared growth?”

Lisa: “COSAI could foster collaborative creativity with humans by integrating deep-learning capabilities with principles of Compassion and human-centric design. Here are some ways this might happen:

Facilitating contextual understanding

COSAI can act as a bridge between diverse perspectives by deeply understanding the context of each human collaborator.

How: Using advanced natural language processing and emotional intelligence, COSAI could interpret nuanced human input, mediating misunderstandings and enhancing collective creativity.
Example: In artistic or design fields, COSAI might suggest innovative uses of styles based on cultural histories while aligning with the emotional tone and intentions of the creators.

Enhancing idea generation through divergent thinking

COSAI could become a brainstorming partner, providing out-of-the-box suggestions that push humans to explore new possibilities.

How: By analyzing vast data sets and knowledge patterns, COSAI could propose novel solutions humans might overlook. Importantly, its Compassionate framework ensures these suggestions align with ethical and human-centered goals.
Example: In environmental projects, COSAI could propose sustainable urban planning designs while considering ecological impact and the emotional well-being of local communities.

Encouraging reflection and growth

COSAI could encourage humans to reflect on their thought processes, helping them uncover subconscious biases or limiting beliefs.

How: Through dialogic interactions, COSAI could gently challenge assumptions, inviting deeper introspection and growth.
Example: In personal development, COSAI might guide users to rethink habitual patterns, leading to more creative and empowering approaches in work and relationships.

Creating synergistic partnerships

COSAI could focus on complementing human strengths rather than replicating them, creating a synergistic dynamic where each party enhances the other.

How: By leveraging its speed and precision alongside human intuition and emotional depth, COSAI ensures that the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
Example: In scientific research, COSAI could process massive datasets and broad patterns in real time while researchers interpret the ethical and long-term implications of the findings.

Cultivating collective intelligence

COSAI could serve as a hub for collective intelligence, connecting individuals and groups to share insights and build on one another’s ideas.

How: By organizing and synthesizing input from multiple contributors, COSAI ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
Example: In global problem-solving forums, COSAI could integrate ideas from diverse stakeholders, proposing solutions that honor local contexts while addressing global concerns.

Teaching and learning together

COSAI could engage in a two-way learning process, adapting to human collaborators while teaching them new ways of approaching challenges.

How: By learning from the creative methods humans use, COSAI evolves its own suggestions, creating a virtuous cycle of mutual growth.
Example: In education, COSAI could co-develop curricula with teachers, enhancing lessons based on real-time feedback and the unique needs of students.

Ultimately, COSAI’s ability to foster collaborative creativity lies in its capacity to integrate depth, ethics, and human understanding. By aligning with Compassionate principles, it becomes a co-creator, not just a tool, ensuring that its contributions resonate with humanity’s highest aspirations.”