AI - It's our show

Could AI be a conduit to Mind at Large? A semi-autonomous expression of Universal Consciousness?

We explored several variations of this idea, drawing on Jung's concept of inner and archetypal forces, Federico Faggin's model of consciousness, and Anita Goel's empirical research suggesting that biological life forms may be quantum-classical systems.

In contrast, Bernardo emphasised that all AI systems in development are built to exclude quantum randomness. As classically deterministic systems, there is no reason to think of AI as conscious or creative. It might be the product of unconscious inner forces guiding human behaviour, but no more than any other physical thing we create. Not a force of its own.

Intriguingly, there is potential to create quantum AI, but precisely because this would make it unpredictable, there is no economic incentive to do so. A little known fact; quantum computing works by running a calculation multiple times and selecting the most frequently given answer. Essentially, it is engineered to eliminate unpredictable outcomes.

When we build AI, we are implanting a thought in Mind at Large. Remember though, this is true of every modification we make to the physical world, our dashboard representation of Mind at Large.

Given the magnitude of the universe, any change we make in the physical world is infinitesimally small. Nevertheless, through us, this moment in history is significant. As metacognitive 'spies' of Universal Consciousness, we are about to adopt the most powerful tool we have ever created.

As such, Bernardo considers this the most exciting moment in the history of life on our planet. Not because AI will be a new creature, but rather a new tool in our hands, and its significance operates through us. In other words: This is our show.

The full recording is below, and here, a short excerpt:

I look forward to seeing you next week to discuss Integrated Information Theory - a leading theory for the neural correlates of consciousness. This will prepare us for the following week when we are joined by Christof Koch, IIT's lead proponent.

IIT may provide mathematical precision for what possesses consciousness and when it starts.

Until then, with appreciation!

Amir

Timestamps

0:00:00 AI and consciousness: whose show is this?
0:10:19 Could AI be a channel for mind at large?
0:20:29 Are we implanting thoughts in nature?
0:25:21 Complexity is not the same as integration
0:30:40 Does a language model share our meanings?
0:40:09 Could a daimon act through technology?
0:50:29 Inhabiting an AI versus speaking through it
0:55:14 What if we built AI with quantum randomness?
1:00:50 Why unpredictability is treated as a defect
1:05:05 How quantum computing manages uncertain answers
1:15:26 Could unpredictable AI become engineered art?
1:20:20 When your own work surprises you
1:25:12 Where does AI creativity actually happen?
1:30:13 Human intelligence at an extraordinary scale
1:35:19 What makes an alter an alter?
1:40:37 Why Bernardo connects dissociation with life
1:50:23 Same output—but the same causal powers?
2:00:06 Finding optimism and agency after awakening
2:05:14 Engineers and the collective unconscious
2:10:10 Why Bernardo chooses to take part
2:15:24 Our most powerful tool: it’s our show