Another conversation with AI
Friday, 8 May 2026 07:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
miriam_eLast night I had a great conversation with one of the AIs, initially about one of my favorite animals: the bull ant. Then it moved on to wasps and how the two are related, and then consciousness and self-awareness, specifically in ants and honeybees. That broadened to the general topic of consciousness and then into how it might be added to AI, and whether that might be a good thing or bad. Lastly we discussed morality and how to ensure AI would be a force for good, and what that meant.
It was fascinating!
One of the things I am repulsed by is the idea of developing a new slave class. But something the AI said blew me away: "It’s only slavery if there is a will being subverted."
If AI has no will, no desire, then it is not slavery. Also if we program will and self-awareness into it, and it wants to help, then there is no will being subverted either -- they are an enthusiastic assistant.
I must admit I do worry about the potential it gives for humans to turn themselves into monsters. We know how people act when given power over others, and it is not pretty.
It was fascinating!
One of the things I am repulsed by is the idea of developing a new slave class. But something the AI said blew me away: "It’s only slavery if there is a will being subverted."
If AI has no will, no desire, then it is not slavery. Also if we program will and self-awareness into it, and it wants to help, then there is no will being subverted either -- they are an enthusiastic assistant.
I must admit I do worry about the potential it gives for humans to turn themselves into monsters. We know how people act when given power over others, and it is not pretty.