So, has AI acquired emergent
properties? The concept of emergence
has been in use in science for decades, it means complex, unpredictable
behaviors, emerging from simple natural laws. Emergent phenomena are ubiquitous in
nature (indeed nothing in science makes sense without emergence) and a proper
grasp of how they come about could hold the key to solving some of our biggest
mysteries. Nobel
laureate physicist Philip Anderson worked the idea of emergence as quantitative
changes that can lead to qualitatively different and unexpected phenomena. For
AI LLM systems (which are very large transformer neural networks, often
spanning across hundreds of billions of parameters, trained on hundreds of
gigabytes of text data) it means abilities not present in smaller models but
present in larger models, unexpected and unintended abilities, to
elaborate further, impressive abilities
gained by programs that they were supposedly never trained to possess, that is,
seeking to transcend for new functions. So, as a dampener, a paper (yet to be
peer reviewed) by a team of Stanford scientists, argue that the “glimmers of
artificial general intelligence (AGI)” we're seeing are all just “an illusion”.
They found that when “more data and less specific metrics are brought into the
picture, these seemingly unpredictable properties become quite predictable”.
The researchers argue that "existing claims of emergent abilities are
creations of the researcher's analysis, not fundamental changes in model
behavior on specific tasks with scale”. In simple terms it means that it is borne out of inherently flawed metrics. Soon enough some
have gone for the attack, this from an article I read the other day “Claiming that complex outputs arising from
even more complex inputs is ‘emergent behavior’ is like finding a severed
finger in a hot dog and claiming the hot dog factory has learned to create
fingers”. “Modern AI chatbots are not magical artifacts without precedent in
human history. They are not producing something out of nothing. They do not reveal
insights into the laws that govern human consciousness and our physical
universe. They are industrial-scale knowledge sausages”. Even the claims of ChatGPT
learning new language, Bengali, on its own is being questioned. There are
allegations of market ploy to get attention and investors. It surely is getting
nasty. Neural network based deep machine learning generative algorithm can
provide solutions to lots of our problems, and may even bring out hidden logics
of fusion, but to claim that it will provide solutions for climate change or
biodiversity loss is spurious. Scientists and researchers have it well documented,
AI will only make it much clearer but that shouldn’t be an excuse to distract
from fossil fuel. There is already an attempt to distract towards fossil fuel emissions
in forthcoming COP28 -a meet which is already doomed.
So
where is the truth? The truth is not in the extremes. There are enough evidences of
emergent ability in AI, atleast in narrow discreet setting. Halicin, protein
folds so on are some brilliant examples of AI probing reason beyond
our comprehension. The brilliance of few simple rules of chess or Go that created
unexpected complexities of moves or reasons in black box that we are not privy
to. Clearly very complex is being solved with a relatively simple algorithm. This
is emergent ability. The problem is when you confine AI/generative
algorithm to LLM, as also mess up with claims of AGI, conscious, sentient and
what not. On its own LLM models like ChatGPT4, PaLM, BARD so on are quite spectacular
achievement, one needn’t spoil it with claims of AGI. There is digital intelligence
that is created when billions of parameters and gigabytes are involved, and with
multimodal input through everyday talk, videos, converted into texts for LLM, meaning
sights and sounds are accessed, and very conceivable for other senses be activated.
It is
conceivable that LLMs develop an internal complexity that goes well beyond a
shallow statistical analysis. It will be certainly much more than a stochastic
parrot, and carry complexity to build some representation of the world. Language
have evolved through thousands of years of iteration and has logic of thought that
is based on simple rules of grammar but meanings are approximation of logic and
context that may not be expressible or confined through grammar. Powerful AI is
well placed to access this black box logic of thought. Hinton is right
there is an alien
that is the sum total of our language.
CNN positions itself as some kind
of value-based savior media, we too fall for the ruse forgetting that these are
money making enterprise, and like cheapskates positioning as media in India
they too are working for next meal or EMI. It’s a miserable life. You can
always find relevant news through online platform streamline to your need, as
for Indian media I follow the worst references catering to my expectations from Indian media
(it’s hilarious the way these dimwits use adjectives as clickbait). There was a
time when Pronnoy’s angels cooed with castetva sycophants to save the world, dangerous
caste cannibal lacking any discerning skill whatsoever as President of India opened
up democratic institutions to honor greatest living Indians, saccharine fizz
seller (exploiting groundwater, plastic polluting and ofcourse disease
spreading) was right at the top list. If you got into the minds of likes of Pranab
for insight you will shudder at the degradation. A tradition of deeply flawed
psychopaths like ‘Rajaji’ nurtured by castetva forces, imagine the despicable caste
cannibal grabbing Governor General’s position licking the colonials while
playing freedom, even snarled for President’s position, snatched the Bharat Ratna,
meanwhile presented as CM of TN (the degradation this trash in human form unleashed
is still felt). There are streets, colonies even a wildlife sanctuary (that too
in Uttarakhand) named after this pus. He is an abiding inspiration for all the
manipulators getting up every day morning to manipulate afresh to never give
up!
So, where does CNN fit in? We
have seen in recent times how BBC has degraded itself, indeed a media that
emerges from monarchy feudal and christianity ensconced value system is already
compromised. With Fox News asked to pay the due for its wanton misdeeds in the
garb of media hence diminished the charlatans at CNN saw an opportunity to fill
in the gap. Imagine these scoundrels. They invited former president -space shifting
sputum- and this is the least offensive reference I can muster, to balance. They
arranged it to fit in the market needs, essentially a jolly affair to keep the
herd happy. CNN very well knew herd is now a mob, and the mobster is slick in his
turf. Nevertheless, they went ahead, this foolhardy entitled assurance and heuristic
salivating is a defining characteristic of the times we live in. Pity. Beware people.
Be very careful of these high-end manipulators. They are here to mollycoddle
the powerful and least bothered how much misery it causes. They are
here to do what benefits them. They are here to prime us to compromise and tolerant
to degradation as we loose our world and our sensibilities. These are the entertainers on the deck of sinking ship. These are
the foot soldiers of apocalypse. There is nothing else to this template. The system
has iterated for narrow gains for too long hence gone crazy. Period.
Post script: what I have realized
over time is that existential issues like climate change or extinction cannot
really be tackled with contemporary framework, the market capitalist economy
and opportunistic systems that it nurtures. It seems to be futile. These are
stampeded by manipulators trying to position for benefit. Prescient youngsters
and perceptive indigenous people are only genuine presence, and you can really
feel for them. We have failed, the system panders the herd and herd
controllers, a self-defeating loop. It has become impossible to take collective
action for common good. Sustainable technologies and solutions seem the only
way out.
Dear Mr. Charles,
"We are under no king; let each vindicate himself."-Seneca
I write this from India, a former
colony of Britain that still suffers from after effects of colonial exploitation.
Not that it was better off before colonialized, but then we need someone to
blame and british raj ticks all the excuses. The reason I am writing in English, and
not in Spanish or French, is just as fated. India was waiting to be colonized,
and it just happened to be Britain. So, we common people were fated. Your luck.
English is an interesting language though, and opened new areas of inquisitiveness
unlike Indian languages that were stuck in time warp of unenterprising self-obsessed
people. I don’t agree with civilizing mission of racist colonizers nor do I agree
on accomplished civilized mission of primitive Indian elite. India was always trapped
in worst of outcomes. So, nobody really can be blamed. Some talk of reparation
and apology. There is really nothing to apologize for nor any need for reparation.
What happened must be seen in the context of time. Line has to be drawn. Few centuries
back world was a nasty place. Might and power decided what was right. Most of
the world lived in terror of aggression and exploitation. Europeans were efficient
and enterprising to create technology to explore the world. While much of the
world lacked, it is not that they were non violent or peace loving -indeed societies
are brutal and it’s a common feature, they are essentially defined by dominant value
systems. Humans are as violent as nature is. For last few decades much of world
has created systems of law and order, democratic institutions and justice
system, hence spaces of peaceful secure existence for most people.
In the last few centuries monarchies
in Europe provided for long periods of tranquility within their boundaries, and
during these periods most of them encouraged and provided space for best of
human expressions and ideas, that accumulated from best of all across the world
through time from Greeks to Mesopotamia to Chinese and so on. Much of astounding
progress of humanity in the last few decades can be traced to these. It’s not
that other part of the world did not contribute. It was sporadic and most were incapable
to sustain due to various factors. Britain specifically was responsible for amazing
progress in science under the royal patronage. Not that science would not have
progressed without royal patronage but taken much longer time (facts are
already there, if not Newton someone else). Essentially this would have shifted
the trajectory of human progress which we see all around us, and possibly we
would still be living in the grip of fate driven fantasies and superstitions in
a much-diminished world. So, European monarchies despite committing atrocities
all across the world -which ofcourse seems natural in the context of time, have
served humanity immensely by creating settled secure space, hence traditions of
contemplating into streams of thoughts, consolidating into systematic learning and
enquiry, that put foundation to further search and research. Hence thank you to
the monarchs who lived during those ages. They guided for better world.
The world has come a long way
since then. Humanitarian values have consolidated in most part of the world. We
value freedom, equality, liberty and dignity of each individual, and these form
the lynchpin of human interactions and foundations for institutions on which
humanity’s progress is dependent on. Without these we are back to medieval uncertainties.
Reparations and apologies are not needed but systems that sustains feudal values
cannot be supported hence must go. Tradition and culture that doesn’t sustain egalitarian
values are not progressive hence persistent threat and source for misery. It is
therefore important for you to understand that existence of monarchy is an anachronism
that is challenging all that is precious to humanity, to each and every of
eight billion humans on this planet, particularly to the most vulnerable. How will you explain your position to that bright child negotiating her way to school despite overwhelming odds? Can you answer any of the question that
a man working 9-5 for meagre existence has? Will you be able to answer the
woman walking in treacherous heat for daily pot of water? You cannot. All your weight
of history and tradition is too light to the existential realities of life. Ascriptive
exceptionalism is worst of possibilities, it sustains the most degraded humans
that live among us and a constant threat whether caste cannibals (hindus) or
monster mullah (islam) or racist whites (christians) so on. The world is facing
enough serious crisis whether climate change, species extinctions or AI
generated polarizing disinformation set to be unleashed etc. and these need immediate
attention. What the world is witnessing in Britain is an embarrassing display
of medieval theatre of absurdity. It is an assault on humanity. It is exciting
the worst kind of people from all across the world, and initiating juvenile binary
discussions we don’t need. Adult humans can be better than this. Please grow
up. Have a reality check. Abdicate.
Best wishes
A concerned fellow
From your former colony
I have closely observed
manipulators at work. These are the worst kind of humans, and they have spread
all across the world. Societies with strong ethical foundations tend to be less
compromised, societies that invested on education and care tend to have compassionate
value systems, but nevertheless these sinister forces work on the sidelines to
pounce on every opportunity, that is essentially targeting weakness of human or
system. They are here for money and power whichever way they can grab it. Semantics
(without any meaning except as debating point to showcase their liberal bearing
and virtue signaling) and control of narration is how they extended their sinister
grip. Lacking egalitarian foundation democratic institutions get compromised,
and nurture worst of possibilities. It was not an accident that british media
went with the lies (‘sexed up’) of Blair and Labour party to attack Iraq and
cause deaths and untold suffering to millions of people, and this less than a
century ago when they caused horrendous atrocities through colonialism and
slavery, the memories of which still flare the collective psyche. Clearly, the
system is compromised hence the cosmetic, indeed damaging, attempts at
multiculture that encourage worst of others. Religiophilia seems to be the
latest strategy by charlatans in West to have upper hand on narration. From this
entitled worldview common people are fodder for highest morals. The concerns
that will deeply and disproportionately impact them like climate change or flawed
economic systems so on will be least of concern. The everyday apprehension is
to control the narration till the weekend, and weekend I am told is for
partying.
Now if this is how the world is
then imagine the havoc AI generated images, videos, voices and deep fakes are
going to unleash on the hapless people. We are living in a world where trust is
almost nonexistent. So, we have to go by facts, and take effort to verify from diversity
of sources. What we see and hear is an important source of fact, ofcourse these
could be cleverly edited to create narration, but now imagine what we see and
hear itself is patently fake and still we are not able to discern. Imagine the deep
sense of disorientation this creates. This is precisely where the world is
entering, and wait with baited breath to see how these will be manipulated by
worst of people. Market media has primed us for fake, every product is sold to
us through fake narration that targets lowest emotions to part with our money
and time. This Ponzi scheme hides under the euphemism of words like democracy,
freedom, choices and growth. Worst of people are edging out the best possibilities
of democratic institutions, religions and human associations. Everything is graded,
classified, and evaluated for profit. Hence, it’s but natural that worst of AI
will spread faster. Lies always travel faster but AI generates lies on
steroids. Ofcourse immense possibilities
of AI will work in the background through meticulous contribution from best of
people with best of intentions. Apart from fakes biases and prejudices are multiplying
and being reinforced with machine learning algorithm trained on skewed data. Even
the objective function tends to be infected with subjective aspiration embedded
in mathematically defined success. The purpose defined for machine learned generative
algorithms is sketchy when interfacing with human values, hence the alignment
problem.
I as a consumer and a concerned
person would like to know what is machine learning goal of the system I am
interfacing with? I should have the right to know whether what I am dealing with i.e.
seeing or hearing is AI generated. There should be red letter tag AG (Artificially
Generated) warning or similar clear indication. You cannot stop AI, you can
only regulate with sensible actionable restrictions. Since this is an issue
that is not confined to national borders an international law is needed before
it’s too late. This powerful technology is developing very fast and worst of
people, nurtured into powerful positions by compromised systems, have access to
it. This shouldn’t be means to quantify suffering of majority of people into
greed for money, power and position for few. If not acted with alacrity AI generated
fake world has potential to collapse democracy, and hard-won values of freedom
and liberty. The pandemic of misinformation, disinformation, lies and fakes are
on AI steroid. They are infecting experiences. There is a significant qualitative
shift happening in the creation and presentation of fake in the last few months.
The situation really is quite dire, and what is unfolding is indeed terrifying.
Unless the system that nurtures man like him is called out the world is not going to be OK. He must be dealt. People like him played havoc over the last few decades as they amass wealth and influenced the worst kind of people and narrations into important positions. Their role, specifically in last few years, must be securitized and be held responsible.
Also, to be noted is that herd churning systems have made people vulnerable to these charlatans all across the world. They easily fall for conspiracy theories, they refuse to use their critical thinking faculties, the ego driven framework -that provides them all fantastical answers, incapacitate them to uniqueness of life nor it exposes them to existential insecurities that essentially awakens senses with primal need to connect to surrounding, to know, to understand. The glitter mirage of safe world arrogance provided by the market capitalism and the nostalgic securities and fantasies that religion presents have made the situation worse.
There is rise in ‘antisemitism’
in west specifically by white christian supremacist, and ofcourse many regions where
islam is prominent (there is no “Islamic world”, this is another of lazy western
media trope -mysticism/otherness, that has severe ramification). That shouldn’t
be reason to be bludgeoned into narration set by few, and that too reflecting
realities of last century. As religion is not a race. JEW IS NOT A RACE. This is
unacceptable. It is untenable. Ofcourse jews faced horribly under Nazis, genocide of millions of
jews is well documented. It’s a painful chapter in human history. Nazis spread
the idea of jews being a race, so as to isolate them, degrade them. The idea that
was being pushed by nazis was that ‘they are born superior', and this can only work if jews were 'born degraded’. It’s a text book
case of bracketing people to demean and isolate. Implicit in this idea is that
if somebody is ‘born degraded’ -meaning they cannot be civilized or taught, so
the option left is to eliminate. These are lessons on genocide. The first step
is to fix religion as race, something that is immutable. It’s a vicious attempt
to consolidate prejudices (as Abbott correctly pointed, what religion experiences
is prejudice) and biases into something undisputable. Where people
are made insignificant, their choice and freedom negotiated for bigger
narration by few. So, if someone is born black, and an attempt is made to
classify someone born black as ‘degraded’ then it is an assault on soul of
humanity.
Antisemitism has the context of
narration of last century. Some devious people want to keep it trapped in time
to extract narration that suits them. There are big money and influential
people working to control. It must therefore be asserted that there is nothing wrong
in being anti-judaism (nor anti-hindu or anti-islam, or anti any other religion or cult), indeed it is an extension of much cherished religiophobia that asserts liberty. Faith
cannot be classified as race. Every sane person must resist this attempt. There
is a need for new semantics to define the reality of the world we live in that
has no semblance with narrations of past. If this is not done then semantics of
the past has the power to bring back the narrations of the past. History rides
on narrations, and can come alive as protagonists morph into past to repeat. Be
very wary.
In the meanwhile, british intellectuals
and civic minded people must protest against the treatment met to Diane Abbott,
a Jamaican immigrant, a black woman from a region from where racist colonizers
captured people as slaves and unleashed atrocities. Diane Abbott has done
remarkably well despite tremendous odds that only a black woman can understand.
What she said is much nuanced hence needs to be debated, and must be understood
in the context. Diane Abbott doesn’t deserve this. Keir Starmer’s racism must
called out, and he should be shunted out. White man’s virtue signaling is well
past the expiry date. The world is least interested in carrying white man’s
burden, least his narration. Keir Starmer is the worst binary that is being
posited as option in polarized british politics. He is thoroughly disliked, and
lacks charisma, compassion or intelligence. ‘Leaders’ like him is one the main
reasons why buffooneries of Tories get credibility. He is purging the party off
its effective leadership. White entitled male like Starmer (nurtured by feudal christian
system in the luxury and pomp garnered from slavery and colonial loot, the least
that is expected is that they maintain democratic institutions -atleast for
redemption sake, the hypocrisy of trying to guide people across the world on democracy
and human rights) shouldn’t be allowed to get away with racism, and no amount
of virtue signaling should clear this fellow. He must be called out and dealt
severely.
Discovering uracil in an asteroid
is evidence that strengthens theory of extraterrestrial origin of life. It’s an
amazing find and culmination of meticulous research by scientists. Basic school
science will tell you that RNA has three letters i.e. nucleotides same as DNA (not
going into the detail) except Thymine. RNA has Uracil. Flow of genetic
information happens from DNA to RNA (through transcription) to protein (through
translation), and this is the central dogma of molecular biology. Every three
letters of RNA when read together equals one amino acid, so a sequence of nucleotides
from gene is equal to sequence of amino acid in protein. In 1980s Tom Cech, US based
scientist, discovered self-splicing ribozymes, a breakthrough discovery because
the existence of self-splicing ribozymes suggested that life on earth arose
from molecules of RNA that could both encode genetic information and replicate that
information in primitive cells. RNA achieves this spectacular feat of both as a
repository of genetic instructions and chemically reactive molecule capable of changing
shape and biological behavior as it can fold up into three-dimensional structure,
unlike DNA which is double helix.
The way AI is progressing is
quite interesting, and ofcourse kept me riveted for last few years. It’s not
really about AI; whatever concerns humanity concerns me and I am quite
habituated to get into depth of things. It’s something I always find exciting. Having
wide range of knowledge without any concern for created boundaries helps to
probe. So, no knowledge is waste. Childhood spent in reading encyclopedia for
random knowledge stimulation is how I got into this frame I guess, and ofcourse
keenly observing insects/ants for hours is another matter that creates network in
impressionable brain. So, all the cynical view on AI -specifically in context
to LLM models/GPT, apart, these progresses are noteworthy in many ways. Ofcourse
one should be beware of hype, also be aware that this science fiction hype of extrapolating
reality has steady enthusiastic milieu of racism and violent narcissism pegged
in virtual games.
As we strip the hype, we find
something immensely significant transformative happening (much of which is in
AI’s narrow/discreet setting leading to halicin or protein folds so on which were
discussed over the months in this blog). LLM is ofcourse limited in its potential
for AGI to pose a threat, and was caricatured in my last blog as Andavar! (its Tamil
reference for god or godlike). Though LLM is no AGI but it has come a long way for
AI hence can accelerate programs towards AGI. LLM iterative learning has
limitation as it built from very general dataset sourced from whole of internet, transforming
that through neural network doesn’t really represent intelligence, it’s quite
shallow and really at surface level. Significantly with its incremental iteration
it cannot fathom breakthrough creativity, ideas or inventions. Quite clearly human
like generalized intelligence needs a technological breakthrough of sorts, and ofcourse
Turing test is quite a low benchmark for AGI. What is clear is that AI has much
superior computational capacity than a normal human and can detect pattern that
humans are incapable. The question here is the necessity to put such rigorous definition
of AGI. Indeed some define AGI as complex systems maintaining its boundaries
while seeking to transcend for new functions. This then is more realistic and
less of science fiction hype. It is here that LLM models show intriguing
ability of GI, and is able to make some leap beyond training data (ofcourse it
also makes equally stupid extrapolations) that is not fully understood and
makes the endeavor at an entirely different level of reckoning. There is a
very limited level abstraction that creates theory of mind is being speculated.
Progress in AI is moving towards
hybrid systems that brings neural network and evolutionary algorithms with
logical systems wherein LLMs is translated into structured logical statements
capable of abstraction (Ben Goertzel). So, unlike the present LLM, which
fixated references from past, it can reason whether its thoughts and statements
are consistent and logically coherent. In human brain’s cognitive architecture formation
of concept and self-concept shows similar pattern. So, it is suggested self/agency
or conscious would emerge from abstraction.
Interesting though these potentials
are the real impact of AI is seen in much prosaic relevant goals like
raising the living standards of people and sustainable goals. This is what the
book Human Compatible by Stuart Russell is discussing. With AI “there would be
no need to employ armies of specialists in different disciplines….every one
could have at their disposal an entire organization composed of software agents
and physical robots capable of designing and building bridges, improving crop yield,
cooking dinner, running elections, and doing whatever else need doing”. Education
is set to be revolutionized. “With AI tutors, potential of each child no matter
how poor can be realized”. In the area of health AI systems can “gradually
banish all diseases”. Anyone could have “high powered lawyers, accountant… on
call at anytime” so on. Potential of AI is immense, and is set to change the
world in a significant way. For systemically discriminated society with nonexistent
community values India has appalling education and health standards it is expected
that AI creates a compassionate space that is accessible to all.
AI will force us to reevaluate what is to be a human. Is it that what is keeping us occupied making us more human or is it reducing our humanity, human faculties and sensibilities? It is a much needed mirror that humanity is forced to look into, a pause to evaluate human civilization. It is quite clear that AI lacks significantly to become an AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), even a larger model of AI will fall short. It needs a technological breakthrough of sorts to reach human level AI i.e. AGI, while creating consciousness is much further from human grasp. Hence the concerns raised on “misaligned superintelligent AGI” cannot really be taken that seriously. Indeed, LLMs or low-level utilitarian chatbots are not what AI is all about, it may amuse some, but the astounding possibilities are in discreet setting -limited frame of reference. AI is bringing out aspect of reality that human beings are not able to even perceive let alone conceive whether discovering antibiotic Halicin -in the process glimpsing properties of molecules that we are not aware that AI found scalable, or AlphaZero showing possibilities that no human could think in last many centuries of playing chess or AlfaFold solving protein folding problem. These are example of AI’s true potential that is exploring and discovering patterns that is beyond human reason. It is creating a black box which human rationality have no access to. Scary though it is AI in discreet setting hold immense potential for the future but that shouldn’t be in any way confused with AGI. AGI, that is human like AI, is quite impossible with present technology and hardware mechanism of binary computers -that is deterministic with limited flexibility and adapting skills. The concern regarding ‘misaligned superintelligent AGI’ doesn’t really pass basic scrutiny. AGI needs a breakthrough technology, a conscious AI seems quite remote at this stage (some are even making post-singularity predictions!!). There is a exponential increase in computation capability and complexity in recent times that is ofcourse getting us closer to reality but consciousness is not a physical process which can be described by computation. Computation is based on discreet elements, specific actions, contexts, rules, and is confined despite ever increasing computation possibilities. While consciousness is part of a continuum. It is symphony at the edge of chaos. The murmuration of starlings and school of fish evading predator are vibrant conscious continuum. There is an understanding that connects, an ambiguous perception that resolves as conscious then exhibits, blends and vanish, in eternal iterative loops as it were.
Unlike binary based AI which is essentially
accumulative growth, indeed pathbreaking, the shift from binary computers to
quantum technology is a paradigm shift. This transition is ‘extraordinary science’
(Thomas Kuhn), revolutionary like Copernican, Newtonian, Einsteinian etc. Breakthrough
ideas and technology creates revolutionary transition, that necessitates abandoning
of existing paradigms. This is how nature too works, more than Darwinian natural
selections it is mutations that have played significant role in evolution. It's
syncing of life with emergent, of survival understanding as chance in chaos. Even
at geological scale Cuvier’s theory of cataclysmic events -world altering catastrophes,
as cause of mass extinction plays more importance than Lyell’s gradual uniformitarian
vanishing of species. Homo sapiens, indeed mammals, got a chance at life
through asteroid strike wiping out dominant reptiles -dinosaurs, sixty-six million
years ago. And now humans are the cause of cataclysmic events unfolding. Sorry
for the digression but the center point of argument here is ‘misalignment of AGI’
is quite impossible since the technology involved in AGI is break from past. Large
generative algorithm created AI will ofcourse carry misalignment that is
embedded in the society. Most countries across the world, indeed EU, are
working on regulation of AI ethics.
Knowledge is about probability
and contingency. It’s probable because of the available data and critical
faculties of sense contingent to the situation. The reason why Karl Popper is a
compelling and relevant philosopher. Current understandings are evolving and is
in eternal iterating loop with reality each individual faces. This is the
journey of each individual for his or her truth, and in the sense contribution
to collective truth of humanity. It is impossible to know reality perfectly. It
is always an approximation that keeps updating with more inputs and insights. Generative
algorithm, machine learning based on deep neural network, is also working on
increasing probability. Bayes theorem is a mathematical equation to probe the
probability and increase the chance. It’s the backbone of machine learning. It’s
an iterative learning to keep increasing the probability and getting
approximation closer to reality as the prior is updated with inputs from each
event. Now this can only work if we are open minded since certainty makes
learning impossible. Every moment in life is an experience that contributes to
diversity of experience hence our approximation of our reality that is unique
and cherished as expression of life. Life is probing into deeper conscious and
possibilities. Even though quantum breakthrough will help access reality at
molecular level hence push scientific breakthroughs but conscious AI is still
way ahead since quantum too is working on computing. Even basic quantum is
based on Schrodinger’s equation which means it is still computable i.e.
deterministic. It’s the breakdown of quantum is where the possibility of
conscious, the collapse of wave function (measurement as consciousness), reducing of quantum state. This is
the building block of proto conscious which will provide the building block of conscious
according to Roger Penrose. He argues on conscious as non computable hence non
algorithmic and speaks about Orchestrated Objective Reduction -a philosophy of
mind wherein consciousness originates at quantum level inside neuron rather
than product of connection between the neurons or synapses. So, negating the
idea of conscious sourced from computation at synapses hence brain output -neurological
data, as input from consciousness.
Computation is based on mathematics and logic herein. But much of math is constructed on unprovable true. It is based on axioms -undeniable statement assumed to be true. Theorems and proofs are constructed from axioms using rules of inference and logical deduction. There are therefore true statements that are impossible to prove. Hence logical systems will have unprovable trues. This is self-referential paradox. This is the famous Godel’s Incompleteness Theorem. “The revelation of the causal power of meaning in a rule bound but meaning free universe” (Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter) “…Twisted loop of selfhood trapped in inanimate bulb called brain”. Infinite in finite. Hofstadter, unlike Penrose -biology based consciousness, argues that focus from material component to abstract patterns allows the quasi magical leap from inanimate to animate, from nonsemantic to semantic, from meaningless to meaningful, to take place. This abstract pattern is 'strange loop' -that Godel brings out through his theorem, Escher through his drawing and Bach through music. Whether it is biological based (quantum tangled neurons) or non biological (strange loops -complex set of stimuli drastically reduced into a concept) one is not sure nor competent to comment. But what is clear is all logical construction is based on reliability of proof procedure. This reliability is based on not provable by the rules that is given, the meaning impervious. Rules have to be trusted for the logical outcome. This understanding of why the rules gives you truth enables you to transcend the truth. This understanding is outside the rule or computable framework, hence is indication of conscious. It is where the system stands back and think about its own thought process. What is the reason to think in such a way? What is that what I am thinking? This self-referential paradox is self-reflection, hence awareness and understanding, hence consciousness.
Post Script: Ray Kurzweil proposes AI consciousness by 2029 through LLM. Ofcourse his idea of consciousness is philosophical! Singularity by 2045. Also, recent research into role of glial cells adds to new dimensions.
This is precisely what the headlines would be at the BBC or The Guardian and all the international level white people’s savior media with strong presence of caste cannibals as arbitrators of moral values with entitlement itch as representors. The reason why this is not the case is not because of any benign reason (indeed chamaar is very much used in hindi as slur) but racist colonials were fed with psychopath squatters from south India specifically TamilNadu -who took to colonizer's language to get close to power, as is the defining characteristic, in the process infecting the language. The reason why “Has North Korea become a pariah nation?” is acceptable headline for fattened fluffs in West. This is just a simple example of how squatters degraded the world over the decades as they consolidated depraved narrations to control herd. As much as pariah is normalized into English, Gandhi is pushed as international peace messiah overseeing moral bearings of the world while vigilant caste cannibals with serious entitlement itch pose as representors (castetva forces spread across the world in gravy positions are obsessively watchful as they mob and snarl against tarnishing this hereditary cud chewer while blunting the truth and his regressive world view with inbred semantic jugglery, they shove Gandhi onto common people as mahatma through institutional power of the state, through control over history, constructing statues in public places -when people didn’t even have as basic amenity as toilet -to keep it firmly in pattern of humiliation and play of fate, naming all major roads as MG road was insidious plan to get mahatma onto people’s psyche, meanwhile humanist leaders and egalitarian traditions were sidelined or appropriated as was opportunistic). British dictionary Cambridge or Oxford (considered highbrow by colonized minds, the reason I too followed) defines pariah as ‘not liked, respected or trusted’ while another defines as “despised, rejected, avoided” “despised so much that refused to be associated” so on. Now understand that back in putrefying society putrid pits of caste is sold as ‘community’ and when it reaches appropriate horniness you get visions of ‘unity in diversity’ (likes of vermin tharoor see this as variety of defecations on his diversity thali, the eloquence of defining these wonders is his regrettable life’s mission while he salivates for power). So, understand by this definition Cambridge/Oxford dictionary is defining a ‘community’ as “not liked, respected or trusted” while “pundit”, another of caste cannibalized word presented to English by vermins, is defined as “a person with great learning” “authority, expert” “title of respect”. This is how caste cannibals tangoed with racist colonial exploiters to work on semantics of narration as they fought and struggled for freedom. Quite a struggle. While some passionately working for freedom were sent to Andamans -a horrible prison system perpetuated by inhuman racist colonizers, others like Bhagat Singh sacrificed their life, some like Bose bravely organized revolt and got killed…these supreme sacrifices were sought to be undermined while select few were elevated as their litter became caretakers and god’s gift. These values of hereditary entitlements fit quite well in castetva narration hence were replicated in all fields and celebrated while the putrefying society went through cronyism, nepotism, corruption, systemic neglect and exploitation. It is no surprise that India languishes at the bottom of all known social indices while high end education institutions like IIT/IIM asserted narration of manipulative values of extraction and beggar’s mindset of acquisitions. Idea of education was degraded and reduced to another opportunity to gather and enhance fate and blessing rather than knowing, understanding or going deeper into area of study. Meanwhile primary education was neglected so that majority are trapped in their fate and pray like beggars for avatars in the form of corrupt self-serving politicians or bureaucrats trapped in colonial ways.
The positive outcome of pandemic
is that I was finally able to break the habit of reading newspaper. As a kid
newspaper were habituated as important, and this unfortunately made common
people fodder to manipulation by devious arbitrators. Indian journalists, as it
turns out, are insipid louts with minimum of skills or caliber with limited aim
to control narration for money and power (there were some columnists I looked
forward to, these exceptions too have dwindled and vanished. Internet has
opened international access, and quality, some of social media sites are better,
as also the reader has the control to choose what to visit and read. Also, AI will very soon take away jobs of these exaggerated aggregators of information. Ah the schadenfreude of seeing mediocre indian journalist made irrelevant). Meanwhile
the struggle of third-rate Indian media is to manipulate vested debauched values into
egalitarian framework to ensnare the herd while for others it’s crude loud
vulgarities of exhibitionism to get money and power. Fluffs in west sometimes
mistake these for vibrant media (referring Indian chaos of mediocrity as
mindboggling and vibrant is another of western trope), and that it seems is
now threatened! Indian media was always compromised to the system of benefit.
They reflect the limitations and challenges of putrefying pit. Sometime back I
was in Chennai so accessed free copy of TheHindu. The fellow has written about
CR Rajagopalchari and love for Shakespeare, and ofcourse of correct English
diction and pronunciation as an extended world of competence, care and jolly
life of ‘rajaji’. The article could be mistaken for kennel keeper eulogizing to
elevate the breed value. For these high-end raconteurs everything about their
personal life is meant for public consumption indeed as a learning for common
people. Their life history is essentially meant to be our history. Their likes
and dislikes are touchstones of our reality. Such is the highest
self-estimation. And as they work into intricacies of English, which is meant
to awe struck common people, I really haven’t come across any protest, indeed
revulsion, against use of caste cannibalized words like pariah in
English. Clearly Gopalkrishna Gandhi doesn’t measure anywhere near the high pedestal
he has assigned himself humbly, and yes if hindutva hadn’t spoiled the party
(mahol kharaab) they would be guiding us to heaven on earth. Not only are caste
cannibals complicit in introducing these extremely objectionable words and
meanings into English but also the criminal negligence that is characteristic
and sold as tolerance. These caste cannibalized words must be expunged from
English language at the earliest.
Tamil Nadu was once known for
vibrant anti-caste movement and humanist tradition which was converted essentially into a laboratory
of castetva forces. All the benign local gods and traditions were systematically
appropriated into squatter infected hinduism. Rulers of the region were known to be brave and industrious who
ventured across the oceans until they were appropriated into squatter’s wasted ways as
society was reduced to bickering groups and collapsed. Caste cannibalized history
will not teach this. Anti-caste movements were essentially meant to smoke
squatter out of sanctums and purify the society of their scourge, the infection. Squatter
aligned with power to spread misery and strengthened control, first with kings,
next with colonizers and then democratic institutions were used to spread their
poison into society. Wherever Gandhi spread, Periyar was pushed out, caste
cannibalism had easy run with powerful state machinery especially bureaucracy
was used to appropriate narration. Humanist movies were replaced with temple
hopping heroes normalizing infection spewing squatter values. Even game
of wastrels -cricket, carry temple as symbol and is specially designed for
squatters to display sporting skills!
Within few decades after independence
humanist movements and aspirations were quelled. TN is now conundrum of caste
cannibals where even children are not spared. It is now a shitpot of caste pits
and a success story of deviousness of castetva forces. As humans are degraded into
bickering snarling rabid dogs and fatalistic herds, squatters on high pedestal claim
victory against Tamil sub nationalism. Indeed, all these deviousness and cruel
ways were meant for benign purpose! It is to save us! It also is the favorite
theme of third-rate Indian movies that eat up human mind into absolute rot.
Some souls are born for great purpose, and despite all apparent indication of
depravity, the hero finally pounds the villain -and these are cherished
‘scenes’ for artistically limited and aesthetically challenged or any hint of compassion, and establish
the order. This is entertainment. Meanwhile caste cannibals also controlled
culture markers (likes of Gopalakrishna Gandhi also decide on high reputation
awards as also is point person for lazy fattened fluffs from West to understand
exotic India or in case they find the urge to give awards. They are gate
keepers who are keeping us safe!). There are reasons for common people to have
high expectation from Hindutva. Will hindutva embolden benign nature of Hinduism
(ofcourse within the limited frame of anachronistic religion) or will it fall
for the well laid traps of castetva. Cult of blessed human born to lead is one
such trap which turns competent leaders into megalomaniac. You can see such
degradation all across the country, these narrations also pander herd and eulogize
sycophantic followers as they spiral into oblivion. This society uniquely lacks democratic values.
Change must start with mind, the thoughts, and the factors that influence.
Let me relate an incident that happened
sometime back which showcases how state machinery and bureaucracy were
entrenched as agents of castetva forces and how they degraded society over last
many decades. I was taking mock interview for aspirants for high end
bureaucracy of the country -something I am engaged in for last one decade,
categorize it as least stupid of job of all stupid jobs since it also helps me
learn things and share while facing the worst valuation of education. The
personal information of candidates carry extra details of caste with subcaste and
what not such is the concern that is normalized. I am sure with depraved sociologists
pitching with insights (incidentally “What is sanskritisation?” is favorite
question among retired wasted bureaucrats. Atleast the lout MN Srinivas spoke
good English that impressed colonial racist britishers!). Since these details
are part of administrative process for the reason of reservation -essentially a
reflection of degraded nature of society hence the need for such steps, sharing
these personal details for interview is really not necessary (since no such
elaboration sought from those who do not need such benefits) unless ofcourse there
is something sinister that is sought to be communicated. So, the interview
panel chairperson -essentially a wasted lout whose life is paused on the year
he got into ‘service’ hence seniority, the eternal hierarchy over others he
craves (limited miserable life paid by the taxpayers) was keen on caste of a
“SC” boy -who was a medical doctor (with above average performance in medical
college -the retired lump of a human found it wanting which was immediately
rectified by co-panelist). When the candidate was not able to answer caste related query. He
told the hapless candidate to learn about his identity, what was their “traditional
profession” (so much gandhian thoughts have gone into it). Surely the line of
questioning did fall into Atrocities against SC Act, I thought. People keep quiet
so as to not to get into trouble with caste cannibals nurtured into immense
power. This is how castetva forces have worked out their devious ways. Hindutva
is expected to rectify these and refine narration. Unfortunately though even
after so many years in power they haven’t really impacted castetva
narration much. There are two reasons to this, one, castetva have ruled for
decades and these debauched charlatans were taking advantage of entrenched
power narration of pre-independence. It helped consolidation of power and
seemingly stability at the cost of systemic exploitations of majority of fate
driven residue of humans while enriching few. Second, hindutva lacks
intellectual gravitas something brought in by their own claims of mythical insights,
ridiculous suppositions and related nonsense as also the fact that English was worked
by castetva forces as merit hence sanskritised hindi adds to nothing to
impress. They need smarter people of caliber to work on wrenching out narration
that is entrenched for decades, as also to gain credibility from majority of
people, at this point it's hinged on emotions. Ofcourse that doesn’t mean hindutva is facing any major political threat in
near future except arrogance leading to implosion from within.
