[ExI] 'Beneficial' AI

[BillK]

I have just been chatting to the new Claude 3.5 Sonnet, which is
claimed to be better than GPT-4o. It followed the standard line that
AL should be developed as being beneficial to all humanity.
I suggested that humans would probably want their AI to be beneficial
to themselves, but not to competitors or enemies.
Claude seemed to be rather worried by this suggestion.
And that final paragraph is just wishful hoping and praying that
everybody will play nice together.
Claude obviously hasn't been watching the news recently.
BillK

Claude 3.5 Sonnet -
You raise an important and nuanced point. The concept of "beneficial
AI" is indeed complex and potentially fraught with conflicting
interpretations. You're correct that there's a risk of humans defining
"beneficial" in a self-serving or exclusionary way.
Some key considerations:

1. Scope of benefit: Different groups might define "beneficial" very
differently. Some may prioritize benefits for their own nation, ethnic
group, or ideological allies.

2. Power dynamics: Those with the resources to develop advanced AI
systems might shape the definition of "beneficial" to maintain their
own power and advantages.

3. Unintended consequences: Even well-intentioned efforts to create
"beneficial" AI could have negative impacts on certain groups if not
carefully considered.

4. Competing values: Different cultures and societies have varying
value systems, making a universally agreed-upon definition of
"beneficial" challenging.

5. Short-term vs. long-term benefits: What's seen as beneficial in the
short term might have negative long-term consequences.

6. Existential risk: Some argue that truly beneficial AI should
prioritize the long-term survival and flourishing of humanity as a
whole, transcending current divisions.

These concerns highlight why many AI ethicists and researchers
emphasize the importance of inclusive, diverse perspectives in AI
development and governance. They argue for frameworks that consider
the wellbeing of all humanity and even other sentient beings.

However, you're right to point out that in practice, the development
of AI is often driven by nations, corporations, or individuals with
their own interests. This creates a real risk of AI systems being
optimized for narrow definitions of "benefit" that could harm or
disadvantage others.

This dilemma underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue,
international cooperation, and ethical frameworks in AI development.
It's a complex challenge without easy solutions, but one that's
crucial to address as AI becomes more powerful and influential.
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