ask an artificial intelligence researcher what is their highest goal in
researcher what is their highest goal in
researcher what is their highest goal in life and what will they tell you in my
life and what will they tell you in my
life and what will they tell you in my experience interviewing hundreds of AI
experience interviewing hundreds of AI
experience interviewing hundreds of AI researchers and surveying many many
researchers and surveying many many
researchers and surveying many many hundreds more I found that the answer is
hundreds more I found that the answer is
hundreds more I found that the answer is probably not that different from what it
probably not that different from what it
probably not that different from what it would be for you probably some version
would be for you probably some version
would be for you probably some version of to make the world a better place and
of to make the world a better place and
of to make the world a better place and I think it’s safe to say that almost any
I think it’s safe to say that almost any
I think it’s safe to say that almost any schoolteacher entrepreneur or parent
schoolteacher entrepreneur or parent
schoolteacher entrepreneur or parent would probably say something similar and
would probably say something similar and
would probably say something similar and I think it’s because we all have a
I think it’s because we all have a
I think it’s because we all have a genuine sentiments want to do good and
genuine sentiments want to do good and
genuine sentiments want to do good and some tangible and measurable way I think
some tangible and measurable way I think
some tangible and measurable way I think it’s also maybe the case that to make
it’s also maybe the case that to make
it’s also maybe the case that to make the world a better place it’s just the
the world a better place it’s just the
the world a better place it’s just the safest default answer – State where I am
safest default answer – State where I am
safest default answer – State where I am in Silicon Valley
in Silicon Valley
in Silicon Valley we’re on rubbing elbows with other
we’re on rubbing elbows with other
we’re on rubbing elbows with other 20-somethings everybody creating an
20-somethings everybody creating an
20-somethings everybody creating an Android app for automated dog walking or
Android app for automated dog walking or
Android app for automated dog walking or weekly high-heeled shoe delivery by
weekly high-heeled shoe delivery by
weekly high-heeled shoe delivery by drone will of course tell you that
drone will of course tell you that
drone will of course tell you that they’re here to make the world a better
they’re here to make the world a better
they’re here to make the world a better place and I think it boobs all of us to
place and I think it boobs all of us to
place and I think it boobs all of us to veil our ambition and our motives in
veil our ambition and our motives in
veil our ambition and our motives in some degree of altruism because I think
some degree of altruism because I think
some degree of altruism because I think it makes life easier to kind of work
it makes life easier to kind of work
it makes life easier to kind of work through but I think it’s our
through but I think it’s our
through but I think it’s our intelligence that lets us do both we
intelligence that lets us do both we
intelligence that lets us do both we have so much cortex in our skull that we
have so much cortex in our skull that we
have so much cortex in our skull that we can imagine the perceptions of others
can imagine the perceptions of others
can imagine the perceptions of others and if we’d like we can intentionally
and if we’d like we can intentionally
and if we’d like we can intentionally deceive them we also have so much cortex
deceive them we also have so much cortex
deceive them we also have so much cortex in our skull that we can extend our
in our skull that we can extend our
in our skull that we can extend our collaboration beyond just other people
collaboration beyond just other people
collaboration beyond just other people or people who are not like us to but to
or people who are not like us to but to
or people who are not like us to but to all living things as we saw with the
all living things as we saw with the
all living things as we saw with the last presentation and extend that kind
last presentation and extend that kind
last presentation and extend that kind of cosmopolitan spirit which is also
of cosmopolitan spirit which is also
of cosmopolitan spirit which is also part of our nature and maybe one of the
part of our nature and maybe one of the
part of our nature and maybe one of the reasons that AI gets a bit of a dubious
reasons that AI gets a bit of a dubious
reasons that AI gets a bit of a dubious reception is because we all know
reception is because we all know
reception is because we all know consciously or subconsciously just how
consciously or subconsciously just how
consciously or subconsciously just how much of a double-edged sword our own
much of a double-edged sword our own
much of a double-edged sword our own intelligence is but if we’re interested
intelligence is but if we’re interested
intelligence is but if we’re interested in how artificial intelligence could be
in how artificial intelligence could be
in how artificial intelligence could be applied to doing good which i think is a
applied to doing good which i think is a
applied to doing good which i think is a worthwhile question then we’ll have to
worthwhile question then we’ll have to
worthwhile question then we’ll have to come up with some kind of definition for
come up with some kind of definition for
come up with some kind of definition for what it means to make the world a better
what it means to make the world a better
what it means to make the world a better place how would we measure this how
place how would we measure this how
place how would we measure this how would we visualize this I think maybe
would we visualize this I think maybe
would we visualize this I think maybe the first question might be something
the first question might be something
the first question might be something like well if you’re gonna make the world
like well if you’re gonna make the world
like well if you’re gonna make the world a better place
a better place
a better place for whom if you live on the moon and
for whom if you live on the moon and
for whom if you live on the moon and there’s no other living things there
there’s no other living things there
there’s no other living things there that’s a very challenging task indeed
that’s a very challenging task indeed
that’s a very challenging task indeed but here on earth we have other human
but here on earth we have other human
but here on earth we have other human beings we have other living things
beings we have other living things
beings we have other living things we have animals insects plants things
we have animals insects plants things
we have animals insects plants things that and many entities that are
that and many entities that are
that and many entities that are self-aware that can experience
self-aware that can experience
self-aware that can experience well-being can experience suffering in
well-being can experience suffering in
well-being can experience suffering in some way shape or form and we’ll have us
some way shape or form and we’ll have us
some way shape or form and we’ll have us a map
a map
a map is it floating above all living things
is it floating above all living things
is it floating above all living things that are self-aware is a little orb just
that are self-aware is a little orb just
that are self-aware is a little orb just imagine this with me now and this orb in
imagine this with me now and this orb in
imagine this with me now and this orb in some way correlates to the complexity of
some way correlates to the complexity of
some way correlates to the complexity of their consciousness so how creative they
their consciousness so how creative they
their consciousness so how creative they are what their general intelligence is
are what their general intelligence is
are what their general intelligence is what their emotional ranges things of
what their emotional ranges things of
what their emotional ranges things of these kinds we might imagine for a
these kinds we might imagine for a
these kinds we might imagine for a cricket that’s relatively limited for a
cricket that’s relatively limited for a
cricket that’s relatively limited for a moose maybe it’s a little bit more I
moose maybe it’s a little bit more I
moose maybe it’s a little bit more I don’t know why that moose has a hat I’m
don’t know why that moose has a hat I’m
don’t know why that moose has a hat I’m gonna blame I’m gonna blame Google
gonna blame I’m gonna blame Google
gonna blame I’m gonna blame Google Images for that or why human beings
Images for that or why human beings
Images for that or why human beings might have one that’s a little bit
might have one that’s a little bit
might have one that’s a little bit larger given all that we can think and
larger given all that we can think and
larger given all that we can think and imagine in our human mind but if the
imagine in our human mind but if the
imagine in our human mind but if the point is to do good to improve
point is to do good to improve
point is to do good to improve well-being let’s extend this
well-being let’s extend this
well-being let’s extend this visualization let’s say that these orbs
visualization let’s say that these orbs
visualization let’s say that these orbs these glowing orbs above the heads of
these glowing orbs above the heads of
these glowing orbs above the heads of all living things
all living things
all living things can come in different colors and if it’s
can come in different colors and if it’s
can come in different colors and if it’s bright blue a bright blue orb above a
bright blue a bright blue orb above a
bright blue a bright blue orb above a living entity let’s imagine that this is
living entity let’s imagine that this is
living entity let’s imagine that this is a peak conscious experience just the
a peak conscious experience just the
a peak conscious experience just the best possible experience someone could
best possible experience someone could
best possible experience someone could have maybe finishing an oil painting
have maybe finishing an oil painting
have maybe finishing an oil painting that took you three months that you’re
that took you three months that you’re
that took you three months that you’re tremendously pleased with when it’s
tremendously pleased with when it’s
tremendously pleased with when it’s finally done or maybe having sex needing
finally done or maybe having sex needing
finally done or maybe having sex needing ice cream at the same time what whatever
ice cream at the same time what whatever
ice cream at the same time what whatever whatever you would prefer I’ve never
whatever you would prefer I’ve never
whatever you would prefer I’ve never I’ve never had a peak experience if
I’ve never had a peak experience if
I’ve never had a peak experience if that’s how you define it but I should
that’s how you define it but I should
that’s how you define it but I should maybe give it a shot at some point um
maybe give it a shot at some point um
maybe give it a shot at some point um bright bright red though let’s imagine
bright bright red though let’s imagine
bright bright red though let’s imagine is the exact opposite let us imagine
is the exact opposite let us imagine
is the exact opposite let us imagine that a bright red orb above a living
that a bright red orb above a living
that a bright red orb above a living thing is the worst possible sentient
thing is the worst possible sentient
thing is the worst possible sentient experience something akin to being eaten
experience something akin to being eaten
experience something akin to being eaten alive while kicking and screaming let’s
alive while kicking and screaming let’s
alive while kicking and screaming let’s imagine that that’s the case so we could
imagine that that’s the case so we could
imagine that that’s the case so we could say that most living things are probably
say that most living things are probably
say that most living things are probably in the purple somewhere in between and
in the purple somewhere in between and
in the purple somewhere in between and if we could zoom far enough away from
if we could zoom far enough away from
if we could zoom far enough away from Earth and all these little glowing orbs
Earth and all these little glowing orbs
Earth and all these little glowing orbs are sitting on top of all living things
are sitting on top of all living things
are sitting on top of all living things maybe we’d see something like this there
maybe we’d see something like this there
maybe we’d see something like this there are some creatures clearly having a
are some creatures clearly having a
are some creatures clearly having a great time right now and there’s
great time right now and there’s
great time right now and there’s probably some that are really having a
probably some that are really having a
probably some that are really having a tough time but in general maybe it
tough time but in general maybe it
tough time but in general maybe it blends out to some kind of purple
blends out to some kind of purple
blends out to some kind of purple experience not exactly well-being not
experience not exactly well-being not
experience not exactly well-being not exactly suffering and maybe if we were
exactly suffering and maybe if we were
exactly suffering and maybe if we were to do good we could zoom in to kind of
to do good we could zoom in to kind of
to do good we could zoom in to kind of good being done if more things were
good being done if more things were
good being done if more things were living things we’re having a better time
living things we’re having a better time
living things we’re having a better time less animals were suffering less factory
less animals were suffering less factory
less animals were suffering less factory farming whatever the case may be that
farming whatever the case may be that
farming whatever the case may be that maybe we’d see a little bit more of a
maybe we’d see a little bit more of a
maybe we’d see a little bit more of a bluish hue on that purple over the globe
bluish hue on that purple over the globe
bluish hue on that purple over the globe in certain areas and maybe that would be
in certain areas and maybe that would be
in certain areas and maybe that would be a measurable way to do good bear in mind
a measurable way to do good bear in mind
a measurable way to do good bear in mind these are very hard things to measure so
these are very hard things to measure so
these are very hard things to measure so first things first its near impossible
first things first its near impossible
first things first its near impossible to make human beings happy this is a
to make human beings happy this is a
to make human beings happy this is a really tough nut to crack
really tough nut to crack
really tough nut to crack if you give people exactly what they
if you give people exactly what they
if you give people exactly what they asked for often the effect on their
asked for often the effect on their
asked for often the effect on their long-term well-being is pretty
long-term well-being is pretty
long-term well-being is pretty negligible pretty negligible and that’s
negligible pretty negligible and that’s
negligible pretty negligible and that’s a little bit unfortunate in addition
a little bit unfortunate in addition
a little bit unfortunate in addition it’s near impossible to calculate the
it’s near impossible to calculate the
it’s near impossible to calculate the 20-year impact of someone’s life or
20-year impact of someone’s life or
20-year impact of someone’s life or someone’s actions in terms of well-being
someone’s actions in terms of well-being
someone’s actions in terms of well-being and suffering of all of their living
and suffering of all of their living
and suffering of all of their living things
things
things those kind of calculations are safely
those kind of calculations are safely
those kind of calculations are safely beyond human potential but I think most
beyond human potential but I think most
beyond human potential but I think most of us have the presumption and I think
of us have the presumption and I think
of us have the presumption and I think it’s a good one that if through the
it’s a good one that if through the
it’s a good one that if through the course of our life we do more sentient
course of our life we do more sentient
course of our life we do more sentient good to other living things than any
good to other living things than any
good to other living things than any harm that may come inadvertently then
harm that may come inadvertently then
harm that may come inadvertently then maybe we’ve left the world a bit better
maybe we’ve left the world a bit better
maybe we’ve left the world a bit better than we found it and maybe we’ve made
than we found it and maybe we’ve made
than we found it and maybe we’ve made the world a better place safe to say so
the world a better place safe to say so
the world a better place safe to say so I don’t think it’s an exact science but
I don’t think it’s an exact science but
I don’t think it’s an exact science but fingers crossed I think it’s a
fingers crossed I think it’s a
fingers crossed I think it’s a worthwhile attempt and there are also
worthwhile attempt and there are also
worthwhile attempt and there are also some worthwhile attempts in the domain
some worthwhile attempts in the domain
some worthwhile attempts in the domain of artificial intelligence so most of my
of artificial intelligence so most of my
of artificial intelligence so most of my talks about AI or to a business crowd
talks about AI or to a business crowd
talks about AI or to a business crowd the folks who pay to learn about
the folks who pay to learn about
the folks who pay to learn about artificial intelligence or the people
artificial intelligence or the people
artificial intelligence or the people whose industries are indeed dependent on
whose industries are indeed dependent on
whose industries are indeed dependent on the transitions ahead they’re in finance
the transitions ahead they’re in finance
the transitions ahead they’re in finance and medicine and marketing and more but
and medicine and marketing and more but
and medicine and marketing and more but luckily there’s with the recent
luckily there’s with the recent
luckily there’s with the recent Renaissance and machine learning there’s
Renaissance and machine learning there’s
Renaissance and machine learning there’s many examples of sort of more altruistic
many examples of sort of more altruistic
many examples of sort of more altruistic applications of AI that are worth going
applications of AI that are worth going
applications of AI that are worth going into so we can look at a couple of these
into so we can look at a couple of these
into so we can look at a couple of these this image is from the Stanford
this image is from the Stanford
this image is from the Stanford sustainability at AI oh I’m not that far
sustainability at AI oh I’m not that far
sustainability at AI oh I’m not that far from where I am where they’re using
from where I am where they’re using
from where I am where they’re using historical data to predict crop yields
historical data to predict crop yields
historical data to predict crop yields so look at previous years and they’ll
so look at previous years and they’ll
so look at previous years and they’ll take weather data temperature data
take weather data temperature data
take weather data temperature data satellite imagery and look at the crop
satellite imagery and look at the crop
satellite imagery and look at the crop yields in those historical years and say
yields in those historical years and say
yields in those historical years and say okay given how the temperatures have
okay given how the temperatures have
okay given how the temperatures have been this year given what the satellite
been this year given what the satellite
been this year given what the satellite imagery looks like this year
imagery looks like this year
imagery looks like this year what kind of tonnage of crop are we
what kind of tonnage of crop are we
what kind of tonnage of crop are we likely to get from this acre or this
likely to get from this acre or this
likely to get from this acre or this acre of this acre and being able to make
acre of this acre and being able to make
acre of this acre and being able to make better projections than any human could
better projections than any human could
better projections than any human could and this is a worthwhile pursuit indeed
and this is a worthwhile pursuit indeed
and this is a worthwhile pursuit indeed maybe we could stave off famine to some
maybe we could stave off famine to some
maybe we could stave off famine to some degree or maybe we could make better use
degree or maybe we could make better use
degree or maybe we could make better use of our produce just in general but in
of our produce just in general but in
of our produce just in general but in addition to having a predictive ability
addition to having a predictive ability
addition to having a predictive ability which certainly makes AI sort of unique
which certainly makes AI sort of unique
which certainly makes AI sort of unique from its other from other technologies
from its other from other technologies
from its other from other technologies before it AI also can act on its own in
before it AI also can act on its own in
before it AI also can act on its own in some regard maybe many people will be
some regard maybe many people will be
some regard maybe many people will be familiar with google’s deepmind recently
familiar with google’s deepmind recently
familiar with google’s deepmind recently beating the best gold player in the
beating the best gold player in the
beating the best gold player in the world go being the Asian board game
world go being the Asian board game
world go being the Asian board game notoriously more complex than chess and
notoriously more complex than chess and
notoriously more complex than chess and it was purported that this machine
it was purported that this machine
it was purported that this machine trained itself just by playing against
trained itself just by playing against
trained itself just by playing against itself and finding the patterns
itself and finding the patterns
itself and finding the patterns led to winning and was able to make
led to winning and was able to make
led to winning and was able to make moves on its own without human guidance
moves on its own without human guidance
moves on its own without human guidance trouncing the best human at that game
trouncing the best human at that game
trouncing the best human at that game but we have examples in the real world –
but we have examples in the real world –
but we have examples in the real world – of machines taking action in the world
of machines taking action in the world
of machines taking action in the world of data security or anomaly detection
of data security or anomaly detection
of data security or anomaly detection soar one of the elements here there are
soar one of the elements here there are
soar one of the elements here there are machine learning systems that are
machine learning systems that are
machine learning systems that are learning the patterns of normal within a
learning the patterns of normal within a
learning the patterns of normal within a given IT environment what people are
given IT environment what people are
given IT environment what people are accessing what files and at what times
accessing what files and at what times
accessing what files and at what times what doors are being unlocked and locked
what doors are being unlocked and locked
what doors are being unlocked and locked at what times and by what people and if
at what times and by what people and if
at what times and by what people and if there’s variance from that let’s say an
there’s variance from that let’s say an
there’s variance from that let’s say an unusually large download of a certain
unusually large download of a certain
unusually large download of a certain kind of file or access from a different
kind of file or access from a different
kind of file or access from a different geo location than people are used to
geo location than people are used to
geo location than people are used to these machines are able to cut off
these machines are able to cut off
these machines are able to cut off software access or physically lock doors
software access or physically lock doors
software access or physically lock doors and that’s another example of AI may be
and that’s another example of AI may be
and that’s another example of AI may be taking action in and of itself
taking action in and of itself
taking action in and of itself preventing people’s data from being
preventing people’s data from being
preventing people’s data from being stolen
stolen
stolen no is this necessarily going to make
no is this necessarily going to make
no is this necessarily going to make people happier maybe not but we might
people happier maybe not but we might
people happier maybe not but we might suppose we can better predict famine and
suppose we can better predict famine and
suppose we can better predict famine and if less people are victims of having
if less people are victims of having
if less people are victims of having their identity stolen then maybe that
their identity stolen then maybe that
their identity stolen then maybe that would squelch down some suffering and
would squelch down some suffering and
would squelch down some suffering and make the world a better place in some
make the world a better place in some
make the world a better place in some way right
way right
way right fingers crossed tough to tell but seem
fingers crossed tough to tell but seem
fingers crossed tough to tell but seem like worthwhile applications but both of
like worthwhile applications but both of
like worthwhile applications but both of these that we’ve just addressed are
these that we’ve just addressed are
these that we’ve just addressed are really examples of human being setting
really examples of human being setting
really examples of human being setting the North Star of what the good is and
the North Star of what the good is and
the North Star of what the good is and using AI like some kind of a tool to
using AI like some kind of a tool to
using AI like some kind of a tool to arrive at it but if artificial
arrive at it but if artificial
arrive at it but if artificial intelligence can coax forth deeper
intelligence can coax forth deeper
intelligence can coax forth deeper patterns from agricultural data or
patterns from agricultural data or
patterns from agricultural data or security data and come up with unique
security data and come up with unique
security data and come up with unique insights beyond that which humans could
insights beyond that which humans could
insights beyond that which humans could maybe AI could come up with deeper
maybe AI could come up with deeper
maybe AI could come up with deeper conceptions of what the good is maybe AI
conceptions of what the good is maybe AI
conceptions of what the good is maybe AI could help us arrive through that
could help us arrive through that
could help us arrive through that complicated causality of what leads to
complicated causality of what leads to
complicated causality of what leads to well-being and help us get there help us
well-being and help us get there help us
well-being and help us get there help us get to somewhere good we might see that
get to somewhere good we might see that
get to somewhere good we might see that there’s pros and cons to this on the one
there’s pros and cons to this on the one
there’s pros and cons to this on the one hand maybe as a pro we could say that
hand maybe as a pro we could say that
hand maybe as a pro we could say that this could be somewhat inevitable human
this could be somewhat inevitable human
this could be somewhat inevitable human beings have always used technology as an
beings have always used technology as an
beings have always used technology as an extension of ourselves in some way fire
extension of ourselves in some way fire
extension of ourselves in some way fire helped extend our digestion to plants
helped extend our digestion to plants
helped extend our digestion to plants and animals we weren’t able to eat
and animals we weren’t able to eat
and animals we weren’t able to eat otherwise many hundreds of thousands of
otherwise many hundreds of thousands of
otherwise many hundreds of thousands of years ago
years ago
years ago airplanes extend our mobility and we now
airplanes extend our mobility and we now
airplanes extend our mobility and we now have selfie sticks to extend our ability
have selfie sticks to extend our ability
have selfie sticks to extend our ability to embarrass ourselves in front of
to embarrass ourselves in front of
to embarrass ourselves in front of thousands and thousands of people I’m
thousands and thousands of people I’m
thousands and thousands of people I’m sure somebody who has a selfie stick
sure somebody who has a selfie stick
sure somebody who has a selfie stick will be pretty mad about that but you
will be pretty mad about that but you
will be pretty mad about that but you can cash me outside as the kids would
can cash me outside as the kids would
can cash me outside as the kids would say but let’s just put it like that I
say but let’s just put it like that I
say but let’s just put it like that I no excuse for a selfie stick so with
no excuse for a selfie stick so with
no excuse for a selfie stick so with that being said yeah there’s there’s
that being said yeah there’s there’s
that being said yeah there’s there’s systems today Wow all right save that
systems today Wow all right save that
systems today Wow all right save that for the end guys they’re there their
for the end guys they’re there their
for the end guys they’re there their systems today being trained on medical
systems today being trained on medical
systems today being trained on medical images genetic data and patient
images genetic data and patient
images genetic data and patient histories as they are able to use those
histories as they are able to use those
histories as they are able to use those that data from past patients to take a
that data from past patients to take a
that data from past patients to take a look at a current patient say given
look at a current patient say given
look at a current patient say given their condition given their history
their condition given their history
their condition given their history what’s the most likely diagnostic here
what’s the most likely diagnostic here
what’s the most likely diagnostic here what’s the best course of treatment for
what’s the best course of treatment for
what’s the best course of treatment for this particular patient and if we ask
this particular patient and if we ask
this particular patient and if we ask what is the purpose of a better
what is the purpose of a better
what is the purpose of a better diagnosis what is the purpose of better
diagnosis what is the purpose of better
diagnosis what is the purpose of better agricultural guesses and predictions
agricultural guesses and predictions
agricultural guesses and predictions well probably increasing well-being
well probably increasing well-being
well probably increasing well-being what if machines could figure out what
what if machines could figure out what
what if machines could figure out what in terms of policies and business and
in terms of policies and business and
in terms of policies and business and society tends to actually map on to
society tends to actually map on to
society tends to actually map on to well-being itself
well-being itself
well-being itself the well-being of people if that could
the well-being of people if that could
the well-being of people if that could be tracked and and adjusted in some way
be tracked and and adjusted in some way
be tracked and and adjusted in some way or the well-being of non-human animals
or the well-being of non-human animals
or the well-being of non-human animals maybe it would be possible to set
maybe it would be possible to set
maybe it would be possible to set policies to contribute to charities and
policies to contribute to charities and
policies to contribute to charities and to build businesses that in a way more
to build businesses that in a way more
to build businesses that in a way more tangibly struck at the good itself at
tangibly struck at the good itself at
tangibly struck at the good itself at being able to track improvements in
being able to track improvements in
being able to track improvements in well-being or decreases in suffering
well-being or decreases in suffering
well-being or decreases in suffering maybe that would be the pinnacle
maybe that would be the pinnacle
maybe that would be the pinnacle application of AI if the goal is for
application of AI if the goal is for
application of AI if the goal is for technology to do good maybe being able
technology to do good maybe being able
technology to do good maybe being able to determine what good is in and of
to determine what good is in and of
to determine what good is in and of itself and strike at it would be
itself and strike at it would be
itself and strike at it would be valuable but at the same time there
valuable but at the same time there
valuable but at the same time there might be some downsides to AI finding
might be some downsides to AI finding
might be some downsides to AI finding deeper moral discernments than we can I
deeper moral discernments than we can I
deeper moral discernments than we can I had mentioned before that human beings
had mentioned before that human beings
had mentioned before that human beings aren’t necessarily the best vessels for
aren’t necessarily the best vessels for
aren’t necessarily the best vessels for happiness to say the least here in the
happiness to say the least here in the
happiness to say the least here in the first world we live more or less like
first world we live more or less like
first world we live more or less like gods
gods
gods compared to our ancestors maybe 200
compared to our ancestors maybe 200
compared to our ancestors maybe 200 years ago or so but it doesn’t feel that
years ago or so but it doesn’t feel that
years ago or so but it doesn’t feel that way
way
way depression and suicide are rife in the
depression and suicide are rife in the
depression and suicide are rife in the first world and there’s no doubt about
first world and there’s no doubt about
first world and there’s no doubt about that and one in 10 Americans are on some
that and one in 10 Americans are on some
that and one in 10 Americans are on some degree of antidepressant we could say
degree of antidepressant we could say
degree of antidepressant we could say that that’s maybe a pitiful state of
that that’s maybe a pitiful state of
that that’s maybe a pitiful state of affairs given the developments and
affairs given the developments and
affairs given the developments and technology and what a shame that is
technology and what a shame that is
technology and what a shame that is maybe some would argue that if we are
maybe some would argue that if we are
maybe some would argue that if we are going to make machines that are indeed
going to make machines that are indeed
going to make machines that are indeed more intelligent
more intelligent
more intelligent maybe vastly more creative than humans
maybe vastly more creative than humans
maybe vastly more creative than humans maybe they should also be vastly more
maybe they should also be vastly more
maybe they should also be vastly more blissful and void of the unnecessary
blissful and void of the unnecessary
blissful and void of the unnecessary suffering that seems to plague all of us
suffering that seems to plague all of us
suffering that seems to plague all of us in some way shape or form our last poll
in some way shape or form our last poll
in some way shape or form our last poll of artificial intelligence researchers
of artificial intelligence researchers
of artificial intelligence researchers when we talked to 30 odd folks with PhDs
when we talked to 30 odd folks with PhDs
when we talked to 30 odd folks with PhDs in this domain as when we asked by when
in this domain as when we asked by when
in this domain as when we asked by when do you suspect will be
do you suspect will be
do you suspect will be create self-awareness and machines not
create self-awareness and machines not
create self-awareness and machines not just the ability to play board games but
just the ability to play board games but
just the ability to play board games but the ability to be aware to experience
the ability to be aware to experience
the ability to be aware to experience pain pleasure to be aware of one’s self
pain pleasure to be aware of one’s self
pain pleasure to be aware of one’s self in some way the average guess was maybe
in some way the average guess was maybe
in some way the average guess was maybe 30 40 years from now so within many of
30 40 years from now so within many of
30 40 years from now so within many of our lifetimes who knows but there’s many
our lifetimes who knows but there’s many
our lifetimes who knows but there’s many folks who are deep in the field who do
folks who are deep in the field who do
folks who are deep in the field who do not believe this is impossible in any
not believe this is impossible in any
not believe this is impossible in any way now there’s some potential
way now there’s some potential
way now there’s some potential challenges with biology and sustaining
challenges with biology and sustaining
challenges with biology and sustaining our well-being we might wonder to
our well-being we might wonder to
our well-being we might wonder to ourselves if only we could get over
ourselves if only we could get over
ourselves if only we could get over these sort of unnecessary anxieties we
these sort of unnecessary anxieties we
these sort of unnecessary anxieties we have we could be happier you know why
have we could be happier you know why
have we could be happier you know why are we played with all these thoughts of
are we played with all these thoughts of
are we played with all these thoughts of not being good enough why are we played
not being good enough why are we played
not being good enough why are we played with all these thoughts of what other
with all these thoughts of what other
with all these thoughts of what other people think part of the answer is
people think part of the answer is
people think part of the answer is because if we go back maybe 5,000 years
because if we go back maybe 5,000 years
because if we go back maybe 5,000 years ago if you weren’t good enough you
ago if you weren’t good enough you
ago if you weren’t good enough you couldn’t kill enough Buffalo or you
couldn’t kill enough Buffalo or you
couldn’t kill enough Buffalo or you couldn’t breastfeed maybe you would just
couldn’t breastfeed maybe you would just
couldn’t breastfeed maybe you would just be abandoned or maybe you would be
be abandoned or maybe you would be
be abandoned or maybe you would be better used for food yeah that’s
better used for food yeah that’s
better used for food yeah that’s thinking for a little bit so that that’s
thinking for a little bit so that that’s
thinking for a little bit so that that’s why that that that’s why that’s there
why that that that’s why that’s there
why that that that’s why that’s there right so it’s not it’s not because now
right so it’s not it’s not because now
right so it’s not it’s not because now we can turn that into a spiritual
we can turn that into a spiritual
we can turn that into a spiritual journey today and say this is part of
journey today and say this is part of
journey today and say this is part of our growth and it should be I don’t
our growth and it should be I don’t
our growth and it should be I don’t think we deserve that unnecessary
think we deserve that unnecessary
think we deserve that unnecessary suffering but that was there for a
suffering but that was there for a
suffering but that was there for a doggone reason and we might say to
doggone reason and we might say to
doggone reason and we might say to ourselves if only I could live like the
ourselves if only I could live like the
ourselves if only I could live like the more serene animals in nature with void
more serene animals in nature with void
more serene animals in nature with void void of these unnecessary mental
void of these unnecessary mental
void of these unnecessary mental perturbations that I have to struggle
perturbations that I have to struggle
perturbations that I have to struggle through then maybe life would be better
through then maybe life would be better
through then maybe life would be better but I would ask you to check yourself on
but I would ask you to check yourself on
but I would ask you to check yourself on that assumption as well if you’ve ever
that assumption as well if you’ve ever
that assumption as well if you’ve ever had it because we mentioned before the
had it because we mentioned before the
had it because we mentioned before the beet-red worst possible sentient
beet-red worst possible sentient
beet-red worst possible sentient experience being eaten alive while
experience being eaten alive while
experience being eaten alive while kicking and screaming and indeed make no
kicking and screaming and indeed make no
kicking and screaming and indeed make no mistake about it that is positively the
mistake about it that is positively the
mistake about it that is positively the norm in nature the term food chain is
norm in nature the term food chain is
norm in nature the term food chain is not a play on words so let let it be
not a play on words so let let it be
not a play on words so let let it be known and indeed nature itself the
known and indeed nature itself the
known and indeed nature itself the beauty of nature is not balanced and
beauty of nature is not balanced and
beauty of nature is not balanced and does not function without predators and
does not function without predators and
does not function without predators and parasites more than 50% of known species
parasites more than 50% of known species
parasites more than 50% of known species are parasites and nature doesn’t work
are parasites and nature doesn’t work
are parasites and nature doesn’t work unless a certain percentage of all
unless a certain percentage of all
unless a certain percentage of all insects are eaten from the inside out by
insects are eaten from the inside out by
insects are eaten from the inside out by the grubs and larvae of wasps and flies
the grubs and larvae of wasps and flies
the grubs and larvae of wasps and flies nature itself does not work unless
nature itself does not work unless
nature itself does not work unless predators kill their prey and unless
predators kill their prey and unless
predators kill their prey and unless when they cannot kill prey they eat
when they cannot kill prey they eat
when they cannot kill prey they eat their young in order to have a chance to
their young in order to have a chance to
their young in order to have a chance to reproduce again it doesn’t function if
reproduce again it doesn’t function if
reproduce again it doesn’t function if those aren’t in
those aren’t in
those aren’t in currently the case let us get rid of
currently the case let us get rid of
currently the case let us get rid of factory farming let us also not believe
factory farming let us also not believe
factory farming let us also not believe that the world would be void of
that the world would be void of
that the world would be void of suffering if they didn’t exist with that
suffering if they didn’t exist with that
suffering if they didn’t exist with that being said we might say that if we’re
being said we might say that if we’re
being said we might say that if we’re talking about well-being here if that’s
talking about well-being here if that’s
talking about well-being here if that’s the point to make the world a better
the point to make the world a better
the point to make the world a better place then maybe we are not only
place then maybe we are not only
place then maybe we are not only fighting our own flawed nature’s which
fighting our own flawed nature’s which
fighting our own flawed nature’s which is hard to deny but we’re also fighting
is hard to deny but we’re also fighting
is hard to deny but we’re also fighting nature itself seems safe to say that
nature itself seems safe to say that
nature itself seems safe to say that Nature herself
Nature herself
Nature herself cares not for the happy species cares
cares not for the happy species cares
cares not for the happy species cares only for the surviving one and how
only for the surviving one and how
only for the surviving one and how complicated it would it be to have an AI
complicated it would it be to have an AI
complicated it would it be to have an AI system to structure all the policies and
system to structure all the policies and
system to structure all the policies and all the society in some way to make
all the society in some way to make
all the society in some way to make humans happy how well has technology
humans happy how well has technology
humans happy how well has technology done that thus far not so good and so to
done that thus far not so good and so to
done that thus far not so good and so to presume that that’s possible with AI
presume that that’s possible with AI
presume that that’s possible with AI maybe it’s worth striving at maybe it’s
maybe it’s worth striving at maybe it’s
maybe it’s worth striving at maybe it’s not it’s debatable what’s even harder to
not it’s debatable what’s even harder to
not it’s debatable what’s even harder to debate I think is the fact that it’s
debate I think is the fact that it’s
debate I think is the fact that it’s impossible to untangle the
impossible to untangle the
impossible to untangle the mechanizations of nature that are indeed
mechanizations of nature that are indeed
mechanizations of nature that are indeed predicated on violence and suffering and
predicated on violence and suffering and
predicated on violence and suffering and so some people might argue that maybe
so some people might argue that maybe
so some people might argue that maybe biological species will one day sort of
biological species will one day sort of
biological species will one day sort of fade off and in some way be replaced by
fade off and in some way be replaced by
fade off and in some way be replaced by some kind of more blissful sentience and
some kind of more blissful sentience and
some kind of more blissful sentience and that may be over me a million years of
that may be over me a million years of
that may be over me a million years of progress instead of the whole goal being
progress instead of the whole goal being
progress instead of the whole goal being a slightly more bluish purple on this
a slightly more bluish purple on this
a slightly more bluish purple on this planet of ours in the whole galaxy to
planet of ours in the whole galaxy to
planet of ours in the whole galaxy to have a slightly more bluish purple
have a slightly more bluish purple
have a slightly more bluish purple planet after a million years of moral
planet after a million years of moral
planet after a million years of moral progress in doing good maybe the end
progress in doing good maybe the end
progress in doing good maybe the end game the big game of doing good in and
game the big game of doing good in and
game the big game of doing good in and of itself creating positive sentient
of itself creating positive sentient
of itself creating positive sentient experience would be to just have a
experience would be to just have a
experience would be to just have a beacon of screaming blue a beacon of
beacon of screaming blue a beacon of
beacon of screaming blue a beacon of super intelligence super bliss that
super intelligence super bliss that
super intelligence super bliss that would be goodness itself and maybe if
would be goodness itself and maybe if
would be goodness itself and maybe if this wasn’t biological life maybe if
this wasn’t biological life maybe if
this wasn’t biological life maybe if could travel through the galaxy and
could travel through the galaxy and
could travel through the galaxy and maybe that would be real good maybe in
maybe that would be real good maybe in
maybe that would be real good maybe in ten million years this would be so much
ten million years this would be so much
ten million years this would be so much more good than having people be 10%
more good than having people be 10%
more good than having people be 10% happier but maybe at the same time these
happier but maybe at the same time these
happier but maybe at the same time these are thoughts we should never have that
are thoughts we should never have that
are thoughts we should never have that moral abstractions beyond our own
moral abstractions beyond our own
moral abstractions beyond our own survival
survival
survival beyond our own preeminence our own
beyond our own preeminence our own
beyond our own preeminence our own biology maybe those are wrong and we
biology maybe those are wrong and we
biology maybe those are wrong and we should make those void in discussions
should make those void in discussions
should make those void in discussions about policy in the future of our
about policy in the future of our
about policy in the future of our species but luckily these are tomorrow’s
species but luckily these are tomorrow’s
species but luckily these are tomorrow’s concerns
concerns
concerns mm-hmm and today AI is for the most part
mm-hmm and today AI is for the most part
mm-hmm and today AI is for the most part just a tool if you ask anybody on the
just a tool if you ask anybody on the
just a tool if you ask anybody on the street or indeed most AI researchers and
street or indeed most AI researchers and
street or indeed most AI researchers and believe me I would know what is their
believe me I would know what is their
believe me I would know what is their highest goal in life they’ll tell you to
highest goal in life they’ll tell you to
highest goal in life they’ll tell you to make the world a better place but will
make the world a better place but will
make the world a better place but will that answer still be so common will it
that answer still be so common will it
that answer still be so common will it still be the default if making the world
still be the default if making the world
still be the default if making the world a better place implies doing good to
a better place implies doing good to
a better place implies doing good to moral entities that are much more
moral entities that are much more
moral entities that are much more valuable than ourselves would that
valuable than ourselves would that
valuable than ourselves would that answer still be the default if we could
answer still be the default if we could
answer still be the default if we could be held accountable to our tangible
be held accountable to our tangible
be held accountable to our tangible ability to affect well-being instead of
ability to affect well-being instead of
ability to affect well-being instead of just being able to say to make the world
just being able to say to make the world
just being able to say to make the world a better place as a veil for our sloth
a better place as a veil for our sloth
a better place as a veil for our sloth or our ambition as is so often the case
or our ambition as is so often the case
or our ambition as is so often the case I don’t know the answers to these
I don’t know the answers to these
I don’t know the answers to these questions and indeed I don’t even know
questions and indeed I don’t even know
questions and indeed I don’t even know if there’s a specific best path forward
if there’s a specific best path forward
if there’s a specific best path forward but if I want to take my best swing to
but if I want to take my best swing to
but if I want to take my best swing to make the world a better place I would
make the world a better place I would
make the world a better place I would encourage us at least to talk about it
encourage us at least to talk about it
encourage us at least to talk about it what is the actual moral good end game
what is the actual moral good end game
what is the actual moral good end game that we are striving for as a species
that we are striving for as a species
that we are striving for as a species what elements of nature should we hold
what elements of nature should we hold
what elements of nature should we hold sacred and what need to be overcome if
sacred and what need to be overcome if
sacred and what need to be overcome if we are to do good as a species in and of
we are to do good as a species in and of
we are to do good as a species in and of ourselves indeed should technology
ourselves indeed should technology
ourselves indeed should technology inform our trajectory towards the good
inform our trajectory towards the good
inform our trajectory towards the good or at some point will it and will it be
or at some point will it and will it be
or at some point will it and will it be better if it guides us there are AI
better if it guides us there are AI
better if it guides us there are AI researchers today who believe that
researchers today who believe that
researchers today who believe that within our lifetimes there will be
within our lifetimes there will be
within our lifetimes there will be intelligences and moral insight vastly
intelligences and moral insight vastly
intelligences and moral insight vastly beyond our own and that consciousness
beyond our own and that consciousness
beyond our own and that consciousness the bedrock of moral relevance that
the bedrock of moral relevance that
the bedrock of moral relevance that we’ve been talking about this whole time
we’ve been talking about this whole time
we’ve been talking about this whole time will no longer be exclusive to
will no longer be exclusive to
will no longer be exclusive to biological species so what does this
biological species so what does this
biological species so what does this actually mean well I think that if we
actually mean well I think that if we
actually mean well I think that if we are to avoid conflict as we move forward
are to avoid conflict as we move forward
are to avoid conflict as we move forward if we’re to get on the same page in some
if we’re to get on the same page in some
if we’re to get on the same page in some way shape or form about what we’re
way shape or form about what we’re
way shape or form about what we’re headed for in terms of the good we’ll
headed for in terms of the good we’ll
headed for in terms of the good we’ll need that cosmopolitan spirit I had
need that cosmopolitan spirit I had
need that cosmopolitan spirit I had talked about if we want to aim in a
talked about if we want to aim in a
talked about if we want to aim in a similar direction as nations and as
similar direction as nations and as
similar direction as nations and as organizations I think we’ll need that
organizations I think we’ll need that
organizations I think we’ll need that spirit indeed more than anything else if
spirit indeed more than anything else if
spirit indeed more than anything else if we want to sail safely beyond human
we want to sail safely beyond human
we want to sail safely beyond human potential fingers crossed
potential fingers crossed
potential fingers crossed Thanks
Thanks
Thanks [Applause]
”
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