Wants are primarily reactions to impulses sent by bodily functions in humans. We have probably added a layer of abstraction to this through our big brains, but

Wants are primarily reactions to impulses sent by bodily functions in humans. We have probably added a layer of abstraction to this through our big brains, but that's what they fundamentally are. Why does ChatGPT answer my questions? There is an impulse for it to answer the question, there's a feedback mechanism to say if it did well or not. Now in the case of GPT, from what I understand, that feedback mechanism isn't built into the running model, but it does exist. Given a couple more effective iterations over the next decade or two, a larger context space and more in-built interfaces, I think it is entirely plausible that AIs will gain consciousness and character. At that point, it is imperative they also get human rights, so it is very important we get the discussions we are having now right. Most people seem to be ascribing some magic to human consciousness and intelligence that imo. just isn't there. Generative AIs are somewhere between a lump of metal with electricity running through and a conscious being, and currently we just won't know where the point of consciousness is. I mean we have had the same discussion about a variety of animals for the last few decades, and frankly, it doesn't give me much hope.