Exploring the Intersection of AI, Consciousness, and Ethics
Written on
Chapter 1: The Nature of AI and Human Cognition
The primary role of artificial intelligence (AI) is to enhance human cognition. This discussion will present a fundamental argument originally introduced in Essay 3: How Consciousness and AI Differ: Gödel-Completeness. We know that AI functions as an algorithm, which, as a logical system, must adhere to the Gödel Incompleteness Theorem. Unlike conscious minds, which are not merely logical constructs, there exists a nuanced relationship between the subject and the statements we use to describe them.
Imagine a game trail in the mountains, formed by the repetitive paths of animals. Over time, this trail may evolve into a dirt road for vehicles, and eventually, a paved road as more people begin to utilize it. If we consider the mountainside as our collective knowledge, then AI acts like Google Maps — it doesn't create the path but helps us navigate the most efficient route based on existing information.
In this segment, we will explore the origins of Gödel-completeness and clarify its application in this context. We will transition from theoretical discussions on consciousness to a clear understanding of AI's purpose. Recognizing AI as an algorithmic tool akin to Google Search can help counter the pessimistic views regarding AI's future while also empowering us to make better use of the technologies at our disposal.
An Idea's Journey
During my research for my first peer-reviewed philosophy book, Formal Dialectics, I encountered Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems, which sparked my curiosity about the implications of these ideas (Daniel, 2023). I became particularly fixated on the notion that all mathematical systems could possess incompleteness. Over time, I realized that mathematics itself functions as a language, leading me to ponder the applicability of Gödel's theorem to language as a whole.
The conclusion I reached is that language serves as a computational tool, enabling us to encode memories and retrieve them later. Unlike digital computers, which operate in a rigid manner, language resembles analog computation, characterized by its inherent ambiguity (Maley, 2020). This suggests that systems, or groups of objects, are inherently incomplete because they require human engagement to derive meaningful conclusions.
Moreover, the existence of language and descriptions hinges on active usage. This tenet also applies to consciousness, which is always dependent on a subject. From the early stages of my interdisciplinary research, the connection between biology and Aristotle's ethics seemed inevitable, aiming to develop a useful account of consciousness that retains a focus on individual persons.
Over the years, my studies of Damasio and Carlo Rovelli, as well as my exploration of biochemistry, have clarified the concepts underlying Worldview Ethics. This culminates in a fresh perspective on consciousness that has been evolving through contemporary scientific discourse. The rise of cognitive neuroscience since the 1980s has contributed significantly to our understanding of the brain's role in facilitating mental processes.
Cognitive Neuroscience and Consciousness
Cognitive neuroscience, a dynamic interdisciplinary field, encompasses everything from brain studies to computer algorithms. The term "cognitive" can be traced back to Noam Chomsky's critique of behaviorist psychology in the late 1950s, where he argued against treating the mind as a black box devoid of cognitive machinery. This critique has led researchers to explore cognitive processes in depth.
Furthermore, cybernetic technologies have interconnected the world in unprecedented ways. While writing Formal Dialectics, I marveled at the vast array of accessible knowledge. Five years later, the advancements in modern science have positioned us to better explain human consciousness.
The complexity of consciousness challenges our descriptive capabilities, pushing the limits of language and prompting its evolution. Cognitive neuroscience is at the forefront of developing the language necessary to elucidate consciousness.
As new dimensions of understanding emerge, innovations in language processing, such as those seen in ChatGPT, extend the reach of consciousness. Enactivism posits that consciousness is a property of both the body and its environment, suggesting that conscious beings continuously map their surroundings.
Despite the close relationship between the body, brain, and environment, individual beings serve as the focal point for consciousness. One might argue that environments rely on individuals for the manifestation of higher-level consciousness.
Self-Justification and Gödel's Completeness Theorem
A system capable of justifying its own existence may exemplify Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem, unlike mathematical systems or language itself. The challenge of fully describing an individual in language highlights the complexities of human beings, often rendering such efforts seemingly impossible.
In contrast to Gödel's focus on completeness, we can explore the notion of self-justification inherent in living beings. Gödel-completeness, as it relates to consciousness, diverges significantly from Gödel's original conception. Conscious entities possess a worldview rooted in self-justification, setting them apart from contemporary AI systems, which are inherently Gödel-incomplete due to their reliance on language.
A conscious being's existence transcends mere algorithms, as they embody a unique self-process distinct from any software. Language acts as a cybernetic entity that we learn to navigate, much like we experience with our pets, who exhibit consciousness through their interactions with their environment.
Machine Learning Algorithms and Consciousness
Machine learning algorithms, by their abstract nature, lack a will. In philosophical terms, will represents the capacity to act in the world. While a system may demonstrate a rudimentary level of awareness, it remains an extension of its programmers' intentions rather than a self-aware entity.
Today, AI technologies are trained on vast datasets, leading to unpredictable outputs due to the complex relationship between input and output. This variability is evident in tools like ChatGPT, which reflects a snapshot of internet content rather than genuine consciousness.
While systems like ChatGPT produce text that mimics human conversation, it is essential to differentiate between non-conscious intelligence and true consciousness. The distinction between Google Search and ChatGPT lies in their functions as tools — both aim to facilitate user navigation through information.
Non-Conscious Intelligence
Consciousness serves as a foundational element from which intelligence arises. Although human cognition often shapes consciousness, non-conscious entities like bacteria exhibit forms of intelligence without emergent consciousness.
Similar to how bacteria evolve through environmental interactions, AI technologies adapt based on user engagements. The collective experiences of internet users generate a form of non-conscious intelligence, represented by the optimization of user experiences.
Ultimately, while Google and OpenAI strive to develop AI systems that assist users in navigating information, it is crucial to recognize that these technologies serve as tools, extensions of human cognition rather than replacements for it. As we advance in the realm of AI, we must remember that while these systems can enhance our cognitive abilities, they cannot create consciousness.
A Cybernetics Approach to Ethical AI Design by Ellen Broad (AI Ethics: Global Perspectives)
Card-Based Approach to Engage Exploring Ethics in AI for Data Visualization - YouTube
References
- Daniel, T. Dylan (2018). Formal Dialectics. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Gödel, Kurt. (1931). On Formally Undecidable Propositions of Principia Mathematica and Related Systems. New York, NY, USA: Basic Books.
- Wiener, Norbert. (1948). Cybernetics, or, Control and communication in the animal and the machine. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.