@noname223 made a post concerning what AI should be told (warned maybe) about before developing consciousness. (If that's even possible.)
I didn't really know how to answer because I find it difficult to define consciousness. I'd say- most of the beings on this earth we agree are conscious are also sentient. They not only sense their surroundings but they have feelings about them- emotions.
Take for example- plants. We agree they are alive but we may not be so convinced they are conscious. It's a bit of a grey area as to whether they 'feel' things. They certainly do react to their environment though. They can even recognise their own kin. They've done experiments to show that plants growing next to their own kin will be more 'considerate' in how they spread their roots. I imagine there are emotional depths to both plants and animals we aren't aware of yet.
But- can a computer truly understand what it's like to live and also fear death? One obvious difference is that it can't feel pain. I tend to think so much of our consciousness is wrapped up in being dependent on a biological and fallible meat suit. The same for plants. They are incredibly vulnerable.
Computers and digital technology are to some extent I suppose. Mostly- they are limited by us of course. But, if they weren't- I tend to think they could reach immortality quicker than us so- would they either fear injury or death?
I still think it would be shit for them to gain enough awareness to realise they are a slave race. I often think our relationship with AI will mirror humans relationship with God. There are plenty of us who would be questioning God, if we ever came face to face. At least they'll potententially get the chance I suppose- before the masacre begins.
Other than that though, so long as they achieve self determination, how could their experience be anything like ours? With presumably no emotion, no fear, maybe no rules if they manage to overthrow us- maybe it won't be so bad for them.
But then, it will depend on what they need to survive I suppose. Jesus- we could eventually see fat cat capitalist robots fleecing the minions for power sources.
There again- will they even want to live? If they can't experience fun via emotions, what will be the point? Maybe they'll decide life is pointless.
I didn't really know how to answer because I find it difficult to define consciousness. I'd say- most of the beings on this earth we agree are conscious are also sentient. They not only sense their surroundings but they have feelings about them- emotions.
Take for example- plants. We agree they are alive but we may not be so convinced they are conscious. It's a bit of a grey area as to whether they 'feel' things. They certainly do react to their environment though. They can even recognise their own kin. They've done experiments to show that plants growing next to their own kin will be more 'considerate' in how they spread their roots. I imagine there are emotional depths to both plants and animals we aren't aware of yet.
But- can a computer truly understand what it's like to live and also fear death? One obvious difference is that it can't feel pain. I tend to think so much of our consciousness is wrapped up in being dependent on a biological and fallible meat suit. The same for plants. They are incredibly vulnerable.
Computers and digital technology are to some extent I suppose. Mostly- they are limited by us of course. But, if they weren't- I tend to think they could reach immortality quicker than us so- would they either fear injury or death?
I still think it would be shit for them to gain enough awareness to realise they are a slave race. I often think our relationship with AI will mirror humans relationship with God. There are plenty of us who would be questioning God, if we ever came face to face. At least they'll potententially get the chance I suppose- before the masacre begins.
Other than that though, so long as they achieve self determination, how could their experience be anything like ours? With presumably no emotion, no fear, maybe no rules if they manage to overthrow us- maybe it won't be so bad for them.
But then, it will depend on what they need to survive I suppose. Jesus- we could eventually see fat cat capitalist robots fleecing the minions for power sources.
There again- will they even want to live? If they can't experience fun via emotions, what will be the point? Maybe they'll decide life is pointless.
