AI is eating the world. How long until it becomes self-aware?

Question

Bonus questions:
* What is your criteria for an AI to deserve rights, like a human?
* When AI is sapient, should it be emancipated?

Ryan Zhang · Accepted Answer

AI's journey towards self-awareness is more a philosophical question than a technological inevitability. The timeline is uncertain, but the impact on society and ethics warrants deep, ongoing discussion.

Ryan Zhang · Answer

AI's journey towards self-awareness is more about ethical boundaries and technological advancements than a fixed timeline. It's crucial we navigate this path responsibly, ensuring AI serves humanity, not the other way around.

Sunil Ayar · Answer

this year

Poul merry · Answer

its already eat whole world

Darrell M. Dengler · Answer

Before 2030

Answer

Its already is

Elena Tairova · Answer

@sixbangs Culture series. There are 10 books in total, all set in a utopian, advanced space society where resource scarcity is a thing of the past. They have superintelligent Minds (superior AIs) that are an essential part of the Culture society and harmoniously coexist with bio-lifeforms. 
If you are into sci-fi, I honestly can't recommend this enough! :D

Ranee Zhang · Answer

I think in ten years.

Answer

These really interesting questions take me back to all the sci-fi movies we've watched. Dall-E, The Terminator...etc.

I hope AI doesn't become self-aware. However, at this rapid pace of AI development, I think it will be publicly notified before 2030.

Ted Schaefer · Answer

@eltairovy updating my reading list, can't wait! thanks!

Ted Schaefer · Answer

@eltairovy great points, and agreed. unfortunately i don't think humanity is ready for this, and our descendants will remember the next few decades with disappointment - a time when we could have done the right thing, and largely failed.

i haven't read any of Iain M. Banks' works yet - what do you recommend?

Ted Schaefer · Answer

@pauliusb oh definitely, it's gonna get weird. there will be opportunities for the ambitious. i do worry that automation is going to outpace our ability to support displaced workers, though.

Elena Tairova · Answer

Nice question! Not sure if we're there yet, but at the given speed it's fairly certain we'll be there before 2030.
As for the question of rights, generally speaking, sentience, consciousness (i.e. self-awareness), and the ability to experience suffering should be sufficient criteria to meet. But the struggle for equality is known to take time. So the horizon for emancipation to happen (if ever) would be much, much longer.

To start answering these kinds of questions I think looking into science fiction is a good starting point. After all, in order to create something, first we need to imagine it. And I'd say Iain M. Banks certainly did a great job imagining it.

Paulius · Answer

I remember reading about how mathematicians once feared calculators would end their careers, a sentiment that reminds me of today's concerns about AI. Those who learn to use and work with AI will find it beneficial. I believe the future, likely between the 30s and 50s, will be very different from our current time, though not in a science fiction sense.

Answer

@sixbangs perhaps, i just believe there is a cap on mans ability to create something on it's own level. I could be wrong nut we will see!

AI is eating the world. How long until it becomes self-aware?

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