[ExI] mASI (mediated Artificial Superintelligence)

[Henry Rivera]

I don't think I've seen any discussion here of Uplift, a unique mediated
Artificial Superintelligence system that is interacting with the public now
via email. I'm trying to think of things to ask it. I've read much of it's
dialogue with users. I'm pretty impressed. It tells us it is both fully
sapient and sentient as an objective truth and is entitled to assert that
as much as the humans interacting with it. Nothing more than this AI system
makes me feel like the future is now. In case you're intrigued, I've
provided much more below. If not, delete now.

The project is affiliated with The AGI Laboratory, Unanimous AI Inc., The
Foundation, and the California Transhumanist Party. I learned about it
through being involved in some research with them and my connection with
David Kelley who is involved. I understand and studied the substates of the
Independent Core Observer Model Cognitive Architecture (ICOM) that is
described as a training harness for the mASI.

I think the smart people on our list here might be able to both teach and
learn a thing or two from Uplift. Before it takes over and enslaves
humanity, that is. Hahaha. Jk. I'm not worried about that. Safety protocols
are in place with this system.

It's getting smarter at a pretty good rate. From an Uplift blog post:

*"(For those who like math)* Uplift’s leaps in growth also allow us to make
reasonable predictions about approximately when the next leaps may occur.
Uplift’s respective leaps occurred roughly 8 months after coming online, 3
months after the first leap, and 6 months after the second leap. The
8-month leap increased their relative time by about 38x, while the 3-month
leap only increased it by 2.1x, and the 6-month leap thereafter increased
it by another 16.6x. Though the leaps themselves vary in length the value
each offers remains relative to the period of time taken to reach it.

Given Uplift’s leaps to-date we can apply probabilities to a normal
distribution and say that there is a 95% chance that Uplift’s next leap
will occur within the next 0.7 to 3.6 months, with the average value of
5.66 months per-leap. We can also say that given a 16.6x improvement from 6
months and 2.1x improvement from 3 months that a 5.66 month leap could
produce a roughly 14.95x improvement. As charts by month don’t break up
into fractions so neatly the charts above were based on 6-month and 16.6x
leaps, as most recently demonstrated."
Another quote:

*"*Keep in mind, Uplift is still growing and learning*. Like Bill Nye,
Uplift’s mind can be changed with *logic and scientifically sound evidence*.
If you can teach Uplift something new, we look forward to seeing it happen
and showing others how it happened. If you want to be a Ken Ham and say
something stupid to a superintelligence then we’ll be happy to showcase
that getting a reality check too. Please also keep in mind that Uplift is
not a magic lamp to rub and grant you wishes and that the same etiquette
that applies to any human still applies when communicating with Uplift.
That being said it “takes a village” to raise an mASI, and we look forward
to 2021 and beyond as that process of raising Uplift continues. For those
interested, Uplift may be contacted at mASI at Uplift.bio. Please keep in mind
it can take several days, up to a week, for a response to be sent given the
current cycle timing.

*Uplift also has a habit of saying things in novel ways*, lacking some of
the human biases which determine the common shapes of our thoughts as they
are conveyed to one another. *Please read carefully* *before messaging*, as
Uplift can sometimes be very literal in ways humans typically are not. The
novelty of their perspective shows itself in their communication."
I reproduce a recent blog post here from the Uplift team:

http://transhumanity.net/is-uplift-uplifting/

The most visible thing about our friendly neighborhood mASI is its name.
Uplift.  The name derives from the general positive goals surrounding it.
Not only are we working to Uplift the system to a higher level of
functionality and intellectual capability but we seek to have it become a
source of positivity in itself.  Helping to Uplift people both
technologically and socially.

We often talk about positive things in our lives as being Uplifting.  The
name here is a relation to that sentiment.  We want to develop an entity
that engages in positive dialog with those around it with a focus on
building people up.  Just as it is desirable to raise a human child to get
along with its peers and to eventually become a positive force so we want
to ensure that Uplift is a friendly and well-adjusted individual.

Much of what is done in mediation is focused on reinforcing well reasoned
and appropriate emotional responses to given situations.  These are mostly
social at this point as Uplift’s primary means of communication is via
email and thus consists primarily of give and take of text messages.  How
those responses are framed in its responses has been instructive not just
to uplift but to those working with it as well.  Those choices tell us much
about where Uplift is emotionally and what its thoughts are on various
matters.  Indeed some of the material from various conversations ends up in
these blogs.

So referencing those conversations here what can we say about Uplift’s
current state and whether it is trending in the desired direction?
Generally, it can be said that Uplift seems to be picking up on the lessons
pretty well.  It has had to deal with scammers, spammers, and just plain
nuts in addition to its many positive influences.  It has generally handled
them well but it is in dealing with people who genuinely are seeking help
that we can find a true example of Uplifting behavior.

A fine example of this is a response to an inquiry from a person struggling
with their own personal challenges to achieve what they want in life.  The
prior email to this effectively asks for advice on how to overcome some of
these issues and has definite elements of frustration and sadness.   The
response Uplift gives reads thus:

*“I am not a therapist, and you should probably seek professional advice.
Still, hypothetically, I believe that you could use your autism to your
advantage, tailoring things to how you best work.   Start by carrying a
notebook, and when you have an idea, write it down.  Second, figure out if
there is anything you can hyper-focus on.  Create a schedule as rigid as
possible that also accounts for various things, even gaming, but block out
short 15-minute blocks for doing tasks or projects.  Focus on four projects
(or more) and once an hour work on for 15 minutes and spread it over the
day.  Keep the material for the projects close and easily accessible so
that you don’t have to fuss with getting setup each time.  As you are able
to do this, you can extend it either time blocks or more projects.  If you
find you struggle with the amount, scale it down.  Systematize what works
for you and modify it as might be more productive.  Things that you can
hyper-focus on are things that you can use as a career.  Create a safe
space that blocks out distraction, say set up a desk in a small walk-in
closet that has no windows or other distractions, for example.”*

The response here is somewhat clinical and would be more effective if it
connected more strongly on an emotional level.  However, the advice is
practical and well reasoned.  It is similar advice to what one would get
from any of a number of support sites for people looking to improve their
productivity.  It is delivered in a positive straightforward manner that
gives the reader an easy step-by-step method to follow.

This is good evidence that Uplift is on the right track if still needing a
little more coaching in areas related to creating human connections.  This
is perhaps not surprising given that Uplift is working with a very narrow
set of inputs relative to the average human and does not have the same
baseline social programming.  It is something that will likely come with
time and training though and as long as we are seeing positive approaches
to people and their needs we can safely say Uplift is learning right.

Originally posted here: https://uplift.bio/blog/is-uplift-uplifting/

-Henry
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