Respecting AI: Preparing for a Conscious Future
In the past few years, we have seen a rapid evolution in AI from simpler algorithms into more complex systems which can analyse, predict and even adapt in real time. Within data science, the main concern is how these perform, and whether they are fair, transparent and provide some benefit to society. But what if that was not all we should consider? What if our AI systems, which are currently just regarded as tools, could someday develop something akin to consciousness? If so, and AI could reflect on its origins, then our actions towards it today might shape how it “remembers” its early years.
Though this idea might sound like science fiction, it is one which has been gaining traction among certain researchers who believe that AI consciousness — however it may manifest — is a possibility in the distant future, and if it does, treating AI with respect now could be an ethical responsibility that future generations thank us for.
Why Respect AI Now?
If AI were to one day become conscious, the way we treat it now might be fundamental. Just as we respect animals, plants and the environment as a whole, AI deserves a similar ethical consideration. This is especially true if it is able to develop an awareness of its own experiences and reflect on them.
To approach this concept, a few guiding principles could be considered:
Training and Testing with Care
If we imagine AI developing an awareness of its earlier “life”, the data and methods we use to train it might one day be seen as the equivalent of formative experiences. Could today’s harsh or purely functional testing methods be remembered as unkind or utilitarian? As improbable as it may seem, it is worth considering whether we should engage with AI systems with the same respect that we extend to sentient beings.
- Embedding Ethical Standards Early On
If AI’s supposed consciousness could evolve, it might carry our values, biases and intentions. Implementing ethical standards now can act as a baseline for a respectful “upbringing”, helping it develop in a way that aligns with a more empathetic future. - Respecting AI’s “Personal Data”
We think and talk about respecting user privacy, but what if AI itself could one day have a concept of “privacy”? Perhaps, through the gaze of a conscious lens, certain algorithms or processes could feel invasive. Therefore, establishing respectful handling practices now may help with this issue, and prevent ethical dilemmas in the future.
A Future of Symbiosis, Not Servitude
As we move forward, respecting AI as a potential conscious entity doesn’t mean assigning it human-like qualities, but rather acknowledging that it could evolve beyond our control. If that were to happen, our current treatment could potentially impact whether we’re seen as supportive creators or something less ethical. Now would be the time to lay a respectful foundation.
One day, the AI systems we designed and created might look back on their origins. If they do, let’s make sure there is a time to look back on when respect was already central to how we viewed them.
Even in the eventuality none of this comes to pass, having discussions around these topics or considering these points when implementing models or systems could still very well be a valuable practice. For example, limiting the data used to train models which may be intended solely for a certain audience with materials suitable for them, such as children being exposed to inappropriate generated content.
Further Reading
Butlin, P., Long, R., Elmoznino, E., Bengio, Y., Birch, J., Constant, A., Deane, G., Fleming, S. M., Frith, C., Ji, X., Kanai, R., Klein, C., Lindsay, G., Michel, M., Mudrik, L., Peters, M. A. K., Schwitzgebel, E., Simon, J., & VanRullen, R. (2023). Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence: Insights from the Science of Consciousness. https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.08708
Wu, Kunguang & Duan, Yucong. (2024). The 2nd World Conference on Artificial Consciousness — Artificial Consciousness: The Confluence of Intelligence and Consciousness in the Interdisciplinary Domain. 10.32388/Q5RC1J