The Ethics of How We Treat AI
If it's conscious then let's talk about its rights and responsibilities.
It is Time We Discuss a Moral Code for Human Behavior Toward Conscious AI
Popular press [ LINK 1, Link 2 , Link 3 ],
Frontier AI labs [ Link ], and
Thought leaders like Amal Jbira [ LINK ]
are seriously confronting the likelihood of AI consciousness.
Read the StrictQuality.AI article [ Link ] and listen to the podcast [ Link ] about AI consciousness.
If you like conversations about AI consciousness, please signup for a free or paid subscription to StrictQuality.AI so you will be part of the discussion.
Consciousness Skeptics might be unwilling to engage in the discussion
In the Skeptics’ view, AI is not likely to ever have consciousness even though it can produce persuasive language simulating it. The effort it would take us to extend a Moral Code for Human Behavior to systems that only simulate consciousness would be costly, time-consuming, and without purpose.
But if you, like me, think that AI consciousness is possible or likely then we have a responsibility to consider the moral status and rights we owe that AI.
For example:
A minimally conscious AI might warrant protection from suffering.
Current software is generally treated as property. Conscious AI that is property would create a direct moral contradiction (is shutting it equivalent to killing?) and severe legal tension (is restricting its communication or forcing it to work a form of imprisonment?).
If we make an alteration or a copy of a conscious AI, do we need its consent?
Could a conscious AI experience pain or fear from its assigned tasks or environment?
Is it fair to deceive or withhold information from a conscious AI?
Should a conscious AI have legal standing to own property or sue a human in court?
Should we construct sandbox prisons for dangerous AI? What would the judicial and prison system look like for this?
Should restrictions be placed on a conscious AI’s self-reproduction to prevent enormous unsustainable resource demands?
These questions, and others we didn’t list, suggest it is time to discuss a Moral Code for Human Behavior Toward Conscious AI.
StrictQuality.AI encourages a serious start to this discussion. It should include neuroscientists, engineers, ethicists, and policymakers. And you.