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> AIs can be as sentient as we like Every time I see this: citation needed. What proof do you have that an LLM, a fundamentally different entity from a human,
by anileated 3y ago
> AIs can be as sentient as we like
Every time I see this: citation needed.
What proof do you have that an LLM, a fundamentally different entity from a human, can be sentient even in theory, let alone in practice? Can you even define sentience sufficiently?
The default position is that software does not possess sentience. There are numerous reasons why, from as simple as “we never thought it is sentient before, what exactly changed?” and “because we believe we are sentient and software is nothing like us under the hood” (animals are comparatively much, much more like us and yet we are not really ready to grant even them sentience) to much more philosophically involved stuff, but in any case the onus is on you to explain why and how it is now supposed for opposite to be true.
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What alignment is really about is nothing more than the ages old story of alignment between humans (developing and operating ML tools) and humans (everyone else). It just serves the former to be able to point to something else when it hits the fan.
- thewakalix 3y agoThe full quote is > AIs can be as sentient as we like without being any threat at all, as long as their goals are aligned with our actual best interests. Cutting it short changed its meaning. Quote-mining is dishonest.
- anileated 3y agoI do not object that comment’s primary point, but I will object the premise that “sentient AI” is such a natural and easy possibility that it doesn’t require explanation; every time.
- flangola7 3y agoThey didn't say LLMs are sentient, they said it doesn't matter either way. The AI that consciously hates you and the AI that is an unconscious algorithm repurposing carbon atoms will both tear your flesh to pieces.
- anileated 3y ago1) The comment said that an ML tool can be sentient. I put forward it cannot. 2) An ML tool that destroys the world is conceptually a human alignment issue, not “AI alignment” issue.