An interesting video about the implications of current AI (GPT) [Vervaeke]

I'm only thirty minutes into the this, but I'm posting it, though I've got doubts. The doubts? The language and the framing, including the fact that Vervaeke declares himself to be an "Internationally Acclaimed Cognitive Scientist." Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but a quick web search leaves me skeptical. In any event, that's the kind of appellation best left in the hands of third parties. To use it yourself is, at best, tacky.

And then we have those moments when Vervaeke lapses into the third person when referring to himself. What?

Still, Vervaeke does recognize the power and potential of the technology while at the same time seeing that it presents a deep challenge to our sense of who and what we are and that that challenge itself is a source of confusion and danger leading to a mis-evaluation and misuse of the technology. That's worth listening to.

Quick notes 

1) Too much talk of autopoesis and emergence for my taste. I tend to think of those as stand-ins for things we don't understand.

2) Makes an interesting distinction between intelligence and rationality. Intelligence seems to be a capacity while rationality is learned and can be developed. 

3) Vervaeke and his cohorts are worried that the pornography industry and the military will be the primary drivers of embodied AI. 

4) In a complex world, trade-offs are inevitable. AIs cannot avoid them. Moreover, internal coherence will be an issue.

5) "Reason is about how we bind ourselves to ourselves and to each other so we can be bound to the world."

6) "Don't try and code into them rules and values. We need to be able at some point to answer this question in deep humility and deep truth: What would it be for these machines to flourish for themselves?"

7) "I think the theological response is ultimately what is needed here." [What do I think about this? Hmmmm.]

8) Compare Vervaeke's remarks with those of Ben Goertzel.

* * * * *

All the text below is taken from the YouTube page:

AI: The Coming Thresholds and The Path We Must Take | Internationally Acclaimed Cognitive Scientist

Dr. John Vervaeke lays out a multifaceted argument discussing the potential uses, thresholds, and calamities that may occur due to the increase in artificial intelligence systems. While there is a lot of mention of GPT and other chatbots, this argument is meant to be seen as confronting the principles of AI, AGI, and any other forms of Artificial Intelligence.

First, Dr. Vervaeke lays out an overview of his argument while also contextualizing the conversation. Dr. Vervaeke then explores the scientific ramifications and potentialities. Lastly, Dr. Vervaeke concludes in the philosophical realm and ends the argument with a strong and stern message that we face a kairos, potentially the greatest that the world has ever seen.

Dr. Vervaeke is also joined in this video essay by Ryan Barton, the Executive Director of the Vervaeke Foundation, as well as Eric Foster, the Media Director at the Vervaeke Foundation. 

* * * * *

Addendum: 5.25.23: Further thoughts about the moral challenges posed by AI.