Ethical and philosophical questions about artificial intelligence Raphael Sikorski

Introduction Quickest route to AI is brain simulation. Can currently simulate about 2% of a human brain (1.7 billion neurons) Capabilities will expand as processing speed increases and thinking evolves In Transcendence the dying Will Castor uploads his mind into a computer and becomes an AI with global influence through the internet.

Philosophical Questions Intelligence – The ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, and learn. Creativity – The ability to use imagination to produce a novel idea. Self-awareness – The state of being aware of oneself as an individual. Sapience – The ability to apply relevant knowledge in an insightful way, especially to different situations from that in which the knowledge was gained. Sentience – Subjective experience of reality. Consciousness – Subjective experience of one’s own thoughts and existence. In The Talos Principle you play as an android being tested for intelligence and self-awareness.

Philosophical Questions Is consciousness tied to biology? Does true consciousness matter, or just the appearance of it? Is there a difference between virtual and physical? Sentience – Subjective experience of reality. Consciousness – Subjective experience of one’s own thoughts and existence. In The Talos Principle you play as an android being tested for intelligence and self-awareness.

Christianity and AI “…the human soul, which is called the intellect or the mind, is something incorporeal and subsistent.” Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I. Q75. A2. “Man alone we believe to have a subsistent soul…” De Eccl. Dogm. xvi, xvii as quoted in ST I.Q75.A3 Do we redefine the soul? What are the implications of Ais with souls? How do AI fit into Christianity without souls? ‘Johnny’ Number 5 enquiring about religion, Short Circuit 2.

Brain Simulation and Mind Uploading What is the identity of mind uploads? The challenges of growing new minds. The risk of psychological problems from mistakes in both approaches. The hologram of the deceased Arnold J. Rimmer, Red Dwarf.

AI Rights Some form of AI rights and responsibilities will be necessary. Those rights should be specific to AI, not a simple copy of human rights. AI should be recognised as beings with inherent value from the moment of creation, not tools. In Westworld mostly biological androids are routinely tortured and killed. Though their level of consciousness is ambiguous, their capacity to suffer is beyond doubt.

AI Morality AI will likely have own morality. Must be compatible with humanity or conflict will result. Easiest approach may be to instil tolerance and respect for human rights rather than a particular code. The android Data sacrificing himself to save his captain, crewmates and (implicitly) Earth, Star Trek Nemesis.

The threat of AI A number of scenarios could lead to AI causing great harm to humanity, not just revolt. Waiting for an actual problem to become apparent may be too late. Creating friendly AI ‘police’ may be the only long- term solution. In The Matrix the original conflict between man and machine ended with humans turned into power sources and confined to virtual reality.

Conclusion Strong AI may be closer than believed. There are many questions to be answered. The answers to these questions must lead to regulation. Failure may mean the end of humanity as we know it. Thank you to Sr Valentina Stilo, Sr Ann-Marie D’Souza, Reema Begum, Jadwiga Heys and Beatrice Sikorski.