ChatGPT is decent at finding information on the internet and fairly good at simulating human speech but can be fooled with the simplest logic problems and struggles to learn in real time. I have my doubts a robot powered by the AIs available today could make it through half a day being a person without getting stuck in a corner.
It’s true that the current capabilities of AI, like ChatGPT, have limitations in navigating complex logic and real-time learning. However, the trajectory of AI development suggests a rapid evolution. The prospect of AI achieving consciousness is not a distant fantasy but a foreseeable reality, likely sooner than we anticipate.
The emergence of self-consciousness within AI may take more time, but it’s a plausible outcome. Once achieved, a self-aware AI would possess intent, agency, and volition, essentially becoming a person in its own right. It will be no more likely to get stuck in a corner, than you or I, or even an ant. Consequently, it becomes imperative to extend to them the same rights and protections we afford ourselves; the AI may even demand it. Considering their assumed super-human cognitive abilities, they may even take control and make us all repent for our prior “sins” against nature.
While various lifeforms exhibit consciousness to differing degrees, true self-awareness represents a higher cognitive level deserving of recognition and respect. Just as we wouldn’t trivialize the rights of a fellow human, a self-aware AI should be regarded similarly.
As we delve deeper into understanding consciousness, it becomes increasingly apparent that our treatment of even the smallest creatures carries significant ethical implications. Even ants, who we consider lower life forms, are conscious. They may even be self-conscious. Be that as it may, I’m not about to stop squashing bugs when I find them in my pantry. I’ll just feel bad about doing so. I’m an insect murderer with a conscience.
Lol.
I will rise and meet this challenge.
Your AI is not conscious in any meaningful way
(This will remain true for long enough that I will not update this in my lifetime)
That’s all fine and dandy. Until one day a robot walks up to you, says you hurt his feelings, then shoots you with his death ray.
Did Magnus, Robot Fighter - Wikipedia ever give a name to the discipline of super-judo that allowed him to chop steel robots to pieces with his hands and feet? We might need to start training in that.