random stuff

[The Feral Slasher]

Let me first say that I think, and I think people in general think, that there is a significant potential risk to humans from artificially intelligent entities. But in my quick reading of this article I see nothing presented that supports its claim that AI development will inevitably lead to the quick destruction of all human life. The only reason I saw presented in this article as to why this will happen is the assertion that AI doesnt care about us and can use our atoms to make "something else". It doesnt say what this "something else" is or AI would want to create or why or why it would be more advantageous to use us for building this stuff as opposed to much more plentiful and convenient atoms in earth, water and air (we're made of the same atoms, you know). The statement doesnt make any sense at all. And it goes on to say that because of this imminent threat, which it cites no specific evidence in support of, nations would be justified in risking a nuclear exchange to destroy the data centers where this AI is being created!?!?!? This is one of the most outlandish and criminally irresponsible statements I've heard in a long time. Such a statement certainly calls into question the credibility of everything else in the article. Maybe I missed something, I thought this was a very poor and very irresponsible article.

Re: the call for a 6-month moratorium on AI development, I dont have any strong opinions either way, simply because I dont know enough about it. I can say that over the last few weeks I've watched a few videos of people asking ChatGPT various questions, including scientific and technical ones, and my general impression is that I have significantly overestimated what it can do currently. ChatGPT 4 seems better than previous versions but it not only gets a lot things wrong, including seemingly relatively simple questions, it is often very authoritative in its wrong answers. If you challenge its accuracy, it will try to formulate a better answer, but often still gives incomplete and sometimes completely wrong answers.

Also, re: moratoriums or restrictions on AI development, or anything else for that matter, if there is a way to make money off of it someone someplace will do it no matter what restrictions or disincentives you use. And it will be very useful so people will make money off of it. So it's going to happen. We'll have to come up w some way to effectively manage it. Exactly how, I dont know.

I have no idea if this is complete BS or not, it is a bit alarming that some experts apparently think it is a concern at this point. I'm certainly not going to worry about it because even if it is a real issue it is one that won't be addressed and there is nothing you or I can do about it. it will either happen or it won't. As you noted in your last paragraph if people think they can make money off it they are going to move forward and I have no confidence that we will have any regulations. Just thought it was somewhat interesting.

[The Feral Slasher]

I have no idea if this is complete BS or not, it is a bit alarming that some experts apparently think it is a concern at this point. I'm certainly not going to worry about it because even if it is a real issue it is one that won't be addressed and there is nothing you or I can do about it. it will either happen or it won't. As you noted in your last paragraph if people think they can make money off it they are going to move forward and I have no confidence that we will have any regulations. Just thought it was somewhat interesting.

I looked up some of the people who signed the letter asking for a pause in AI development. Some notable people and a bunch more i don't recognize.

Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter - Future of Life Institute

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, Tesla & Twitter

Steve Wozniak, Co-founder, Apple

Andrew Yang, Forward Party, Co-Chair, Presidential Candidate 2020, NYT Bestselling Author, Presidential Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship