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On 2016-07-13 13:02, Dave Sill wrote:<br>
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cite="mid:CAM5aL2fF3RaPHH0J25rSopUs3Fbh5qVNdWmXMJAKq9vLyjLJyQ@mail.gmail.com"
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<div class="gmail_extra">I asked "<span
style="font-size:12.8px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Are
the most intelligent people the best problem solvers?", I
didn't say intelligence isn't a factor in problem solving. I
was challenging the assertion that achieving
superintelligence is a very important goal and the apparent
belief that it enables solving otherwise unsolvable
problems.</span></div>
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<br>
Yes, that is the underlying thought for much of the
superintelligence debate. Typically the starting point is an
intelligence definition along the lines of Shane Legg's
"intelligence is the ability to efficiently figure out how to
achieve desired goals in general environment" (see his thesis for
the mathematical statement, which is a bit stricter). So an entity
better able to achieve its goals than humans in general will in
general achieve its aims more successfully. <br>
<br>
[ There are of course plenty of particular imaginable cases where
the superintelligence doesn't want anything or wants to solve
unsolvable problems, is in a situation where it cannot do anything
useful (like falling down an elevator shaft), or it is simply
unlucky despite its brilliant plan. There are also worlds where
intelligence is not useful at all, and the no free lunch theorems,
but those considerations rarely matter in practice in this world. ]<br>
<br>
The "superintelligence is a superpower" thesis is based on the
observation that human problem-solving has produced pretty
impressive/world transforming results. In many competitive domains
an entity that is better at achieving its goals than another entity
will tend to win. Economically we know there is a premium for smart,
skilled problem solvers. <br>
<br>
Note that we do not have to assume godlike superintelligence for it
to be extremely useful/good business/able to mess up the world.
Intelligence explosions are entirely optional. Assuming it to be
better in any domain is also a simplifying trick; clearly
superintelligence specialized to smaller domains may be worth a lot
too. <br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Dr Anders Sandberg
Future of Humanity Institute
Oxford Martin School
Oxford University</pre>
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