AI Alignment Problem: a fresh perspective
Exploring a fresh approach to solving the AI alignment problem by focusing on intrinsic motivation and long-term thinking to ensure harmonious development between AI systems and humanity.
I've been thinking a lot about the AI alignment problem lately—the challenge of ensuring that artificial intelligence systems act in ways that are beneficial to humanity. As AI models continue to improve at an astonishing rate, finding a robust solution to this problem feels increasingly urgent. While I'm not an expert in the field, nor do I hold a PhD in philosophy, I believe that sometimes a fresh perspective can offer valuable insights.
One of the core issues I've noticed is that traditional approaches to AI alignment often rely on embedding universal morals or values into AI systems. However, humanity doesn't share a single set of morals or values. Cultural, religious, and individual differences mean that what's considered ethical can vary widely. Attempting to program AI with a universal moral code seems impractical and might even lead to the AI acting in ways that are acceptable to some but offensive or harmful to others.
Another approach that's been considered is utilitarianism—aiming to maximize overall happiness or well-being. But utilitarianism can be paralyzing in complex situations where consequences are hard to predict or quantify. Assessing all possible outcomes to determine the greatest good is computationally infeasible for complex scenarios, and a strict utilitarian approach might sacrifice individual rights for the greater good, leading to ethical dilemmas.
