The advancement of artificial intelligence, particularly towards robust AI systems, raises concerns and intriguing possibilities, according to Paul Saffo.
Saffo acknowledges that the complexity and rapid pace of technological innovation have made the world increasingly difficult to comprehend and manage. Narrow AI systems are already prevalent in various aspects of our lives, from art creation to controlling traffic. As these systems continue to improve and become more capable, they are on a trajectory towards robust AI.
Furthermore, Saffo highlights our natural tendency to anthropomorphize AI systems, attributing feelings and rights to them. As we interact with AI, we may extend empathy and legal rights to these digital beings, even before robust AI emerges.
Saffo suggests that our interactions with AI will shift our understanding of intelligence, recognizing it as a continuum rather than a threshold. This perspective may lead us to contemplate the sentience of not only AI but also other entities in the natural world.
Ultimately, Saffo raises the question of where humans will fit in a world increasingly populated by autonomous machines. As AI systems become more prevalent, it challenges our place in society and prompts us to consider how we adapt to a world shared with an ever-growing population of machines.