[ExI] all we are is just llms

[Ben Zaiboc]

On 21/04/2023 15:56, spike wrote:
> Ja, Ben where I was really going with that idea is exploring whether 
> it is possible to separate consciousness from intelligence.

Personally, although I do think that consciousness necessarily goes 
along with intelligence, for a number of reasons (and evolution 
retaining it, as Jason mentioned, is a big one), I regard it as a bit 
like discussions about qualia. Doesn't really matter.

If something looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might as well 
be a duck for all practical purposes. Especially if it also tastes like 
a duck.

I think that self-awareness is the thing to look for, rather than 
consciousness. Maybe they're the same thing, maybe not, but 
self-awareness is something that can be detected, and is obviously 
important and useful. Whether or not all self-aware entities are 
conscious, we can leave to the philosophers to argue amongst themselves 
about. I suspect, though, that self-awareness without consciousness may 
be an oxymoron.

Asking someone if they are a duck, though, is silly. People (who can 
answer the question) are not ducks. Ducks (who can't answer the 
question) are ducks. Talking ducks? ok they could answer either way. 
These questions are not answered by asking the system in question. They 
are answered by testing it. Granted, the tests can include asking, but 
asking alone is useless. Especially when the people or ducks might have 
been instructed beforehand to give a particular answer.

The thing that nobody seems to be on the lookout for with these AI 
systems, is spontaneous behaviour. When one starts asking its own 
unprompted and unscripted questions, /that/ will be interesting.

Ben
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