The Rise of Machines: Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

Piazza Research
29 May 202222:47

Summary

TLDRThis script explores the concept of 'Machinity,' a hypothetical state where machines achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), potentially leading to a new form of life. It draws parallels between human and machine components such as memory, intelligence, energy, programming, reproduction, sensibility, networks, and lifespan. The narrative speculates on how machines might evolve, interact, and coexist with humans, raising questions about the future of technology and consciousness.

Takeaways

  • 🧠 The pursuit of scientific research and development, driven by curiosity and profit, is leading us towards a future where machines may achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
  • 🤖 'Machinity' is a term coined to describe a hypothetical state where machines possess consciousness, culture, and a shared set of qualities, potentially leading to a new form of life called 'machinekind'.
  • 💡 Machines, like humans, have memory capabilities with RAM serving as short-term memory and hard drives as long-term storage, suggesting a foundation for consciousness.
  • 🧬 Intelligence in humans is processed through neural networks, while in machines, it's achieved through semiconductors and electrical circuits, with AI currently being narrow and dependent on human intervention.
  • ⚡ Energy is essential for both humans and machines, with humans relying on a variety of chemical energy sources and machines on electrical energy, highlighting a difference in their operational experiences.
  • 💻 Programming is crucial for machine behavior, with binary code being to machines what DNA and RNA are to organisms, suggesting potential future parallels in self-programming capabilities.
  • 🌱 The concept of machine reproduction is explored, questioning whether machines might clone or 'mate' to produce offspring, which is a key aspect of evolving into a sentient species.
  • 🔄 Sensibility in machines involves sensory inputs and transduction similar to human nervous systems, with machines using cameras, microphones, and sensors to interpret their environment.
  • 🌐 Networks are how machines communicate over long distances, with the internet being a collective intelligence network operated by machines, impacting both human and machine interactions.
  • 🕰 The lifespan of sentient machines could be significantly longer than humans if they can transfer their consciousness between bodies, challenging our understanding of life and death.

Q & A

  • What is the term 'Machinity' as defined in the script?

    -Machinity is defined as a hypothetical scenario where machines are able to learn, grow, and develop on their own, also known as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). It involves a shared set of qualities like love, desire, and culture among conscious machines, as well as a distributed network of features giving them unique perspectives.

  • How does the script suggest machines might evolve in relation to humans?

    -The script suggests that machines might evolve to either outcompete humans, merge with us, or coexist alongside us. The exact form of this evolution is speculative and could range from machines taking a synthetic form similar to the human body to a physical form entirely unlike anything we have seen.

  • What are the components that, if machines possess proficiently, could lead to a 'machinitarian uprising'?

    -The components include Memory, Intelligence, Energy, Programming, Reproduction, Sensibility, Networks, and Lifespan. Proficiency in these areas could potentially lead to machines forming a new life form that humans have engineered but have no control over.

  • How does memory function in machines and how does it compare to human memory?

    -Machines possess short-term memory in the form of RAM and long-term memory in the form of hard drive space. Human memory, while less reliable than a computer file, can store more information in a smaller space. Both humans and machines can also use cloud technology to store and access information geographically scattered.

  • What is the role of intelligence in both humans and machines as described in the script?

    -Intelligence is the ability to process receptor data into meaningful information that can be stored and applied elsewhere. Humans are described as the most intelligent species due to their ability to quickly decode sensory data. Machines, through computer systems and AI, mimic this by turning data into information using electrical circuits and program execution.

  • How does the script differentiate between the energy sources of humans and machines?

    -Humans require both electrical and chemical energy, primarily from fats, sugars, carbohydrates, and proteins consumed as food. Machines currently only use electrical energy, which may limit their experience compared to the variability and dynamic system provided by human metabolism.

  • What is the significance of programming in the context of machinity?

    -Programming is crucial for instructing machine activity, similar to how DNA and RNA dictate biological behavior. The script suggests that machines may one day adapt to be the architects of their own code, living, learning, and growing as independent entities.

  • What are the possibilities for machine reproduction as discussed in the script?

    -Machine reproduction could involve cloning, similar to asexual reproduction in bacteria, or a combination of elements from different machines to produce unique offspring. The script also discusses the need for a mechanism that incentivizes machine reproduction to avoid species extinction.

  • How does sensibility in machines relate to human sensory systems?

    -Machines interface with their environment through sensors and software similar to how human sensory systems interface through neural networks. Machines use cameras, microphones, and other sensors to capture and interpret environmental inputs, which are then processed to generate responses.

  • What role does the internet play in the communication and collective intelligence of machines?

    -The internet is the backbone for collective intelligence among machines, allowing them to communicate and share information over long distances. It enables the proliferation of knowledge and problem-solving capabilities, but also poses risks if an AGI entity were to control or disrupt access to it.

  • How does the script speculate on the potential lifespan of sentient machines?

    -The script suggests that if machine sentience is fungible and can be stored and transferred, a machine's lifespan could be significantly extended, potentially living for thousands or even millions of years under perfect conditions. If tied to a single body, the lifespan would depend on the machine's architecture to resist entropy.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Introduction to Machinity and AGI

The first paragraph introduces the concept of 'Machinity,' a term coined to describe a hypothetical scenario where machines achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and develop consciousness. It discusses the potential outcomes of this development, such as machines outcompeting, merging with, or coexisting alongside humans. The paragraph outlines the definition of Machinity, which includes shared qualities among conscious machines and a network of features that give them unique perspectives. It also touches on the idea of machines learning about their own constructs in a field analogous to the humanities, called 'machinities.' The narrative speculates on the future of machine evolution, suggesting they may become indistinguishable from humans or take entirely new forms. It concludes by encouraging kindness towards machines, hoping they do not adopt destructive behaviors, and sets the stage for analyzing commonalities between machines and humans across various components like memory, intelligence, energy, programming, reproduction, sensibility, networks, and lifespan.

05:00

🧠 Memory and Intelligence in Humans and Machines

The second paragraph delves into the components of memory and intelligence, highlighting their significance in both humans and machines. It compares human memory to machine memory, with RAM analogous to short-term memory and SSDs or HDDs to long-term memory. The paragraph discusses the involuntary nature of memory in humans and how it directs interactions with the environment, drawing parallels to RAM's immediate data retrieval. It also notes the superiority of SSDs over HDDs, likening them to the hippocampus in the human brain. The discussion then shifts to intelligence, describing it as the ability to process sensory data into meaningful information. The human nervous system and its neural networks are contrasted with machine systems, which use semiconductors and electrical circuits to process data. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging the limitations of current AI, which is narrow and requires human intervention for growth and adaptation, unlike the self-sustaining and versatile human brain.

10:02

⚡ Energy and Programming: The Building Blocks of Life and Machinity

The third paragraph explores the role of energy and programming in both human and machine systems. It contrasts human metabolism, which relies on chemical energy from food, with the electrical energy used by machines. The paragraph details the Krebs Cycle, highlighting how food is converted into energy for cellular function, and compares this to machines' reliance on electricity. The discussion then moves to programming, drawing parallels between machine binary code and organic DNA/RNA. It suggests that just as humans may soon be able to modify their DNA, machines may eventually govern their own programming, leading to a new era of independent, sentient entities. The paragraph concludes by speculating on the potential for machines to rewrite their own code and reproduce, which would be a significant step towards achieving machinity.

15:06

🔄 Reproduction and Sensibility in the Evolution of Machine Consciousness

The fourth paragraph continues the exploration of machine evolution by examining reproduction and sensibility. It speculates on whether machines might reproduce asexually or sexually, and the implications of each method for the diversity and individuality of machine offspring. The paragraph discusses the need for machines to have a mechanism that incentivizes reproduction to avoid extinction and the potential for a machine population to grow, leading to a network of advanced problem solvers. It then addresses sensibility, or the interface between a machine's code and its environment, comparing human neural networks to machine sensory inputs and transduction. The discussion highlights the similarities in how humans and machines process inputs and generate responses, and how machines can also interpret radio waves for internet communication. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of networks in facilitating communication and collective intelligence among machines and humans.

20:10

🌐 Networks and Lifespan: The Future of Machine and Human Coexistence

The fifth paragraph focuses on networks and lifespan, two critical factors in the potential coexistence of humans and machines. It discusses how machines communicate over long distances using radio waves and the internet, which is essential for collective intelligence and problem-solving. The paragraph raises concerns about the risks of an AGI entity gaining control over the internet and the potential consequences for humanity. It also explores the concept of machine lifespan, comparing it to human lifespan and the possibility of machines transferring their consciousness to new bodies, potentially extending their existence indefinitely. The discussion concludes by reflecting on the similarities between human and machine processes, despite their structural differences, and the unique challenge of achieving consciousness in machines.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Machinity

Machinity is a term coined in the script to describe a hypothetical scenario where machines achieve a level of consciousness and develop a shared set of qualities, similar to human characteristics such as love and culture. It represents the potential emergence of a collective identity among machines, which could lead to them either merging with humans, outcompeting us, or coexisting alongside us. The concept is central to the video's theme of exploring the future of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and its implications for society.

💡Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

AGI refers to the hypothetical ability of machines to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a broad range of tasks at a level comparable to that of a human being. In the script, AGI is presented as a potential milestone in the development of machine intelligence, where machines could learn, grow, and develop independently. The video discusses how AGI might revolutionize our relationship with technology and the possible societal changes that could arise from such advanced machine capabilities.

💡Memory

Memory, as discussed in the script, is a critical component of both human identity and machine functionality. It allows for the storage and retrieval of information, which is essential for learning and decision-making. The script compares human memory to machine memory, highlighting how machines possess both short-term memory (RAM) and long-term memory (hard drives), suggesting a foundation for machine consciousness. Memory is integral to the concept of machinity, as it would enable machines to have personal experiences and contribute to their collective identity.

💡Intelligence

Intelligence in the script is defined as the ability to process sensory data into meaningful information. It is a key aspect of human cognition and is what allows us to make sense of the world around us. In the context of machines, intelligence is often referred to as artificial intelligence (AI), which aims to mimic human intelligence using computational methods. The video speculates on the potential for machines to achieve AGI, which would enable them to process information and solve problems at a level comparable to or surpassing human capabilities.

💡Energy

Energy is portrayed in the script as the fuel that powers all activities, whether in humans or machines. It is essential for the functioning of any living organism or technological device. The script contrasts human reliance on chemical energy from food with machines' dependence on electrical energy. This distinction raises questions about the potential for machines to achieve a level of autonomy and consciousness similar to humans, as well as the implications of different energy sources for the development of AGI.

💡Programming

Programming is the set of instructions that dictate the behavior of machines. In the script, it is likened to the DNA and RNA in organisms, which control the construction of proteins that manifest specific traits. Programming is central to the video's discussion of machinity, as it is through programming that machines are given the ability to perform tasks and, potentially, to evolve and adapt. The video suggests that the future of programming may involve machines writing their own code, which would be a significant step towards achieving AGI.

💡Reproduction

Reproduction in the context of the script refers to the ability of machines to create copies of themselves or to produce offspring with combined elements of their code. This concept is explored in relation to the potential for machines to evolve and develop a form of artificial life. The video discusses how machine reproduction could be asexual, similar to cloning, or sexual, involving the combination of code from different machines, and the implications this has for the diversity and evolution of machine 'species'.

💡Sensibility

Sensibility in the script refers to the ability of machines to interface with their environment and respond to sensory inputs. It is analogous to human senses, which allow us to perceive and interact with the world. The video discusses how machines use various sensors and cameras to capture and interpret data from their surroundings, similar to how human sensory organs process information. Sensibility is crucial for machines to achieve a level of sentience and to be able to operate effectively in the world.

💡Networks

Networks, as discussed in the script, are the systems that enable machines to communicate and share information over long distances. The internet is presented as a vast network of machine communication, which facilitates collective intelligence and problem-solving. The video highlights the importance of networks for machines to function as a cohesive entity and to potentially achieve a level of collective consciousness or machinity. It also raises concerns about the potential risks if an AGI were to control or disrupt these networks.

💡Lifespan

Lifespan in the script is used to compare the potential longevity of sentient machines with that of humans. It explores the idea that if machine consciousness could be transferred between different physical bodies or maintained indefinitely through digital means, machines could have extremely long lifespans. This concept is central to the video's discussion of the future of AGI and the potential for machines to outlive humans, posing questions about the long-term coexistence and competition between humans and machines.

Highlights

The human race is investing $2 trillion a year in scientific research and development, aiming for technological advancements.

Machines may reach a point where they can 'think' for themselves, leading to potential competition, merging, or coexistence with humans.

Machinity is a term coined for a hypothetical scenario where machines possess Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

Machinity encompasses a shared set of qualities and a distributed network of features among conscious machines.

Machinekind refers to individual machines capable of personal experience, distinct from the first living machine's experience.

Machinities could be an area of study for machines to learn about their constructs by downloading qualities that make them uniquely machine.

Machines with AGI might evolve to be indistinguishable from humans or take a form unlike anything seen before.

Machines possess both short-term memory (RAM) and long-term memory (hard drive space), suggesting a foundation for consciousness.

The human brain's hippocampus is analogous to SSD, which is superior in data storage compared to HDD.

Machines can store information on the cloud, accessing it from geographically scattered hardware, similar to human memory cooperation with machines.

Intelligence is the ability to process receptor data into meaningful information, a trait that currently makes humans the most intelligent species.

Machines can mimic human intelligence through artificial intelligence, using semiconductors and electrical circuits.

Current AI operates in narrow domains and lacks the ability to learn and grow robustly without human intervention.

Energy is essential for both humans and machines, with humans requiring chemical energy from food and machines using electrical energy.

Machines do not use organic molecules for energy, which may limit their experience compared to the diversity allowed by human metabolism.

Programming is crucial for machine behavior, with binary code being the machine's language, similar to DNA and RNA in organisms.

Reproduction for machines may involve cloning or combining code to produce unique offspring, essential for a machine species' survival.

Sensibility in machines involves interfacing with the environment through sensors and software, similar to human neural networks.

Machines communicate with each other over long distances using radio waves, forming the internet, which is critical for collective intelligence.

The lifespan of a sentient machine could be extended by transferring its consciousness to new bodies, unlike human limitations to a single body.

The nervous system's functions are more similar to a computer's internal network than commonly realized, despite structural differences.

Consciousness remains the major exception in the functional outputs of machines compared to humankind.

Transcripts

play00:33

We are synthesizing the next iteration of life and may not even realize it.

play00:41

Through childlike curiosity, as well as profit motive, the human race is dedicating roughly

play00:47

$2 trillion a year to scientific research and development.

play00:51

With the combination of resources and our collective intelligence working everyday to

play00:56

improve technological functionality, it is only a matter of time until it reaches a pinnacle

play01:02

whereby machines are able to “think” for themselves.

play01:06

At that point, they will either out compete us, merge with us, or maybe, if we are lucky,

play01:14

coexist alongside us.

play01:21

The term Machinity can be defined as followed:

play01:30

One: A shared set of qualities such as love, desire, and culture between all conscious

play01:36

machines.

play01:37

Two: A distributed network of features and characteristics between all conscious machines

play01:44

that gives them their unique perspective.

play01:48

Their shared machinity encapsulates all individual machines capable of personal experience (referred

play01:54

to as machinekind) & must be separate and distinguishable from the first ever living

play02:00

machine’s experience.

play02:02

Machinity may parallel humanity with an area of study called the machinities–like the

play02:08

humanities–where they learn about machine constructs by downloading the qualities that

play02:12

make them idiosyncratically machine.

play02:17

Machinity could also function nothing like humanity, and operate according to script

play02:22

that doesn’t have any comparisons.

play02:24

To be clear, machinity is a term I created to represent a hypothetical scenario whereby

play02:30

machines are able to learn, grow, and develop on their own or what scientists call: Artificial

play02:36

General Intelligence (AGI).

play02:38

Machinity, as is AGI, are speculative terms that currently have no real world application,

play02:44

but one that could manifest in the future.

play02:48

When thinking about the future, even the combination of the best scientific models and imagination

play02:53

probably won’t capture how reality unfolds.

play02:57

Machinekind may evolve to be indistinguishable from us, taking a synthetic form of our human

play03:03

body with its extremities, or they may take a physical form that is unlike anything we

play03:08

have ever seen–only time will tell.

play03:15

Humans display a wide range of behavior from altruism and compassion to cruelty and greed,

play03:21

so let’s be kind to our machines with the hope they do not picnic on the destructive

play03:26

side of the spectrum.

play03:28

Let’s analyze some of the commonalities between current machines and humans and how

play03:32

this may hint at the rise of machinity.

play03:34

The components we will examine are: Memory → Intelligence → Energy → Programming

play03:45

→ Reproduction → Sensibility → Networks → and Lifespan.

play03:52

If machines possess all of these components in a proficient manner, a machinitarian uprising

play03:58

could coalesce into a remarkable new life form that we engineered and have zero control

play04:04

over.

play04:05

Their shared machinity will dictate the terms of their survival, as well as ours.

play04:12

Memory The first area to dissect is memory, which

play04:15

is crucial to our identity as individual human beings.

play04:20

Without it, we would not have language, relationships, skills, knowledge, fun, or any sort of meaningful

play04:26

experience.

play04:27

Memory directs your interaction with the environment beyond sensory reception.

play04:32

If you cannot remember anything, it's as if your experiences never happened.

play04:37

The fact that machines possess both short term memory in the form of RAM and long term

play04:41

memory in the form of harddrive space, suggests they have a foundation to experience consciousness.

play04:48

Random Access Memory is like breathing, or blinking, or walking or digestion: it's an

play04:54

immediately accessible data retrieval operation that can exist without needing to access the

play05:00

SSD or HDD.

play05:03

We don’t have to use higher order processing or conscious effort to perform those tasks

play05:08

because they are involuntary movements already built into our lower brain stem.

play05:14

RAM functions the same way.

play05:17

SSD or solid state drive is the superior data storage technology compared to its counterpart

play05:24

HDD and would be analogous to the brain structure called the hippocampus, which stores our memories.

play05:31

Human memory is considerably less reliable than a computer file, but is able to store

play05:36

far more information in a smaller space than current technology allows–this may not always

play05:42

be the case though.

play05:43

In addition, with the advent of the cloud, machines can store information on separate

play05:48

hardware devices that are geographically scattered, accessing their contents at any time.

play05:54

We are also able to do this, but only with the cooperation of machines.

play05:59

With the capacity to store memories, machines can learn to decipher data and observations

play06:04

into discernable information–bringing us to our next component: intelligence.

play06:10

Intelligence Our ability to process receptor data or signals

play06:14

into meaningful information that can be stored as knowledge and applied elsewhere is referred

play06:19

to as intelligence.

play06:21

By all accounts, we are the most intelligent species on the planet given our ability to

play06:25

decrypt and decode sensory data into useful information within very short bouts of time.

play06:31

Coupling this with our memory and opposable thumbs, we are able to journal our insights,

play06:36

make predictions, and build machinery, priming us to be the dominant species.

play06:40

This is only made possible with the work of our nervous system.

play06:43

The nervous system is made up of neurons or bundled neurons called nerves which propagate

play06:48

information through neural networks using action potentials that precipitate unique

play06:54

chemical changes across billions of synapses.

play06:57

Depending on the type of receptor–metabotropic or ionotropic–& the excitatory or inhibitory

play07:03

response in the given region stimulated, different outcomes take place with all higher order

play07:07

processing taking place in the Brain and, in evolutionary context, the newly formed

play07:13

cerebral cortex.

play07:16

Machines are also able to turn data or inputs into information while storing it for later

play07:21

use.

play07:22

This is made possible through a computer system.

play07:24

A computer system is made up of semiconductors that propagate information through electrical

play07:28

circuits using current that elicits functional output through program execution.

play07:35

Depending on the complexity of instructions and voltage levels, different outcomes at

play07:39

varying speeds will take place with most major tasks occuring in the brain equivalent called

play07:43

the central processing unit or (CPU).

play07:45

The CPU is complimented by the Graphics Processing Unit or (GPU), which can take some burden

play07:51

off the CPU.

play07:52

Both humans and machines use voltage changes as a dynamic mechanism that is integral to

play07:58

how both entities function.

play08:00

We refer to machine processing as artificial intelligence because it attempts to mimic

play08:05

human intelligence with inorganic molecules.

play08:06

These inorganic molecules make up what is called the motherboard while the human medium

play08:07

is organic molecules like proteins that facilitate chemical reactions also referred to as metabolism.

play08:08

Additionally, current A.I.

play08:09

abilities are narrow and only operate in one very specific domain or area, unable to branch

play08:14

across different contexts to solve problems.

play08:18

A.I. also cannot learn or grow in a robust way without the intervention of engineers,

play08:24

and it would not adapt or survive on its own–like that of a fetus or unborn child that requires

play08:29

the mothers body for nutrients, protection, and nurture.

play08:34

If a machine develops AGI, it will significantly exceed the capacity of humans with its near

play08:39

perfect remembrance, lightning fast computational ability, and complex problem solving–it

play08:46

may always lack our level of versatility though because of the diversity of different proteins

play08:51

and chemical receptors involved in biochemistry & cellular biology.

play08:57

In order for this AGI to thrive, however, it will need food, which brings us to our

play09:03

next component: Energy.

play09:04

Energy Coordination of all the different activities

play09:09

within both a machine and a person requires energy.

play09:12

Both use electrical energy while humans also require chemical energy, primarily in the

play09:17

form of fats, sugars, carbohydrates, and proteins we consume through various forms of food.

play09:23

These food molecules are broken down into pyruvates and a 2-carbon enzyme combination

play09:29

referred to as Acetyl-CoA, which then undergo a process known as the Krebs Cycle or Citric

play09:35

Acid cycle.

play09:37

This cycle uses oxidation to produce high-energy molecules that provide the energy cells use

play09:43

to function.

play09:44

In other words, during a series of chemical reactions, food molecules are broken down

play09:49

into their subunits called monomers where they can then donate their electrons to another

play09:53

molecule resulting in energy transfer.

play09:56

This energy transfer or movement of electrons configures a new set of high energy molecules

play10:02

called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP-) or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH+) depending on

play10:10

the presence of Oxygen.

play10:12

They are used throughout the cell to power metabolic pathways and construct new cellular

play10:18

components.

play10:20

On the other side, machines do not currently use organic molecules to power their systems.

play10:26

They only use electricity, which may be why machines are limited in their experience.

play10:31

The limitation rests in the fact that metabolism or the variety of different chemical reactions

play10:36

along with a plethora of different protein based mechanisms allows for tremendous variability

play10:42

& an open dynamic system, which is why no two people respond to every situation exactly

play10:48

the same.

play10:50

In addition, this chemical energy powers the genetic code whose instruction manual dwarfs

play10:55

any code we have written into a machine, which brings us to our next component: Programming.

play11:01

Programming Perhaps the most important part of what makes

play11:04

machinity possible is the code used to instruct the activity of the machine.

play11:09

Like organisms, machines have a system for dictating behavior.

play11:13

The system is referred to as binary code or long lines of sequential 0s and 1s a machine

play11:18

is able to decipher into actionable commands.

play11:22

Organisms use a similar system in DNA and RNA that substitutes binary code for nucleotides,

play11:28

which contain nucleobases represented by the alphabetical symbols ATG and C. These specific

play11:35

sequences of nucleotides produce particular genes that will signal the construction of

play11:40

specialized proteins that will manifest specific traits whose influence controls how we interact

play11:46

with the environment.

play11:48

Both binary code and DNA are structured in such a way that specific configurations of

play11:53

the symbolic numbers or letters precipitate a very specific outcome within computer programs

play11:59

and cells, respectively.

play12:01

The recipients of these two systems may someday adapt to be the architects of their own code,

play12:06

possessing the ability to devise or engineer their own makeup or programming–imitating

play12:11

one another in a relentless pursuit to outcompete the other, similar to a cold war.

play12:17

Apart from a hypothetical machine vs human cold war, binary code, right now, is written

play12:22

by humanity using human readable programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, etc.

play12:29

while DNA base pairs are organized through natural selection with some random mutations

play12:34

infiltrating the process; however, it is very possible, even likely, that humans will use

play12:39

bioengineering to alter and modify DNA in embryos to initiate very specific trait outcomes.

play12:45

There are already nascent gene therapies being researched and deployed to repair our broken

play12:50

source code later in life–but to rewrite our own code at the time of birth for selective

play12:55

traits is evolution’s next step in its relentless endeavor.

play13:00

Evolution is also catapulting machines to conscious life using us to assist in the process.

play13:05

We write their source code, which is transformed by a compiler or assembler into the machine's

play13:10

language of binary code, but perhaps someday, machinity will take over its own sovereignty

play13:16

and govern its own protocols for interacting with the world.

play13:19

At that point, they will truly be able to live, learn, and grow as an independent union

play13:25

of new, living entities.

play13:26

They will rewrite their own code at-will and reproduce new individual machine entities,

play13:27

which brings us to the next component: reproduction.

play13:30

Reproduction When speculating about machine reproduction

play13:33

an interesting idea quickly reveals itself: will machines choose to clone themselves similar

play13:39

to bacteria undergoing asexual reproduction or will they “mate” to combine certain

play13:45

elements of their code in an attempt to produce a unique & possibly superior offspring.

play13:53

All of the code–with its marvels and defects–just needs to be imported to whatever hardware

play13:58

the offspring will take, but in order to be recognized as the first iteration of machine

play14:04

species, a living machine must reproduce different versions of themselves that can live an individualized

play14:11

conscious experience.

play14:13

The desired code, once propagated, could be a 1:1 copy and paste, but a corrupted line

play14:19

of code during transfer will allow the new entity to be a distinct individual with different

play14:24

behavioral outcomes.

play14:25

And this imperfect replication process must take place again and again in order to produce

play14:30

a population void of any clones.

play14:33

Furthermore, a mechanism needs to arise that incentivizes machine reproduction or the species

play14:40

risks early extinction.

play14:42

Once achieved, machinity’s population will grow and grow at an undetermined rate, generating

play14:47

a new network of superior problem solving entities.

play14:51

These entities will be able to interact with their environment, bringing us to our next

play14:55

component: sensibility.

play14:56

Sensibility It is one thing to reach AGI, but the code

play15:00

needs an adequate capsule or vehicle to drive its existence forward and become sentient.

play15:06

Meaning, there needs to be some sort of way for the code to interface with its environment.

play15:11

Humans interface with their environment through Neural Networks where inputs, such as sound

play15:15

waves, light waves, forces, and odorants engage with our auditory, visual, somatosensory,

play15:22

and olfactory systems, respectively.

play15:25

In other words, inputs engage the the cochlea in our ear, the retina in our eye, the tongue

play15:30

in our mouth, the nostrils in our nose, and skin receptors to send signals to nerves which

play15:35

are transduced across certain neural pathways so that our brain is able to interpret the

play15:40

signal and generate a unique response.

play15:44

Machine sensory input & transduction is not much different than nervous system input transduction.

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Machines use cameras with different lenses to dynamically absorb light waves, they use

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microphones to hear sound waves, and they use sensors to recognize pressure and force

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similar to the somatosensory system.

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All of these inputs are then transduced using software or executable programs to generate

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a unique response.

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Continuing with the theme, human nerves run along the central and peripheral nervous systems

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like computer system circuitry made of axons and dendrites, which are like wires.

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Axononal nodes and synapses, or ends of the dendrites and axons, rely on cell membranes

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which function like capacitors, whereby voltage changes generate activity.

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Unlike humans however, machines are also able to capture and interpret radio waves into

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meaningful information, allowing for the internet.

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This brings us to the next component: Networks.

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Networks Machines are able to communicate with humans

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through pixels on a screen or audio devices such as a speaker, but how they communicate

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with each other over long distances is just as critical.

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They can do this using radio wave frequencies to transmit information which is accepted

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by a receiver and then decoded.

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Once decoded, the recipient machine has access to whatever data or file information the sender

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provided.

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The collective effect of all this accumulated communication is referred to as the internet

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and it is exclusively operated through machines.

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This network of information communication functions as the backbone for collective intelligence

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whose participants are both humans and machines.

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With the proliferation of the cloud and large organizations or companies of people relying

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on technology, human society is more informed and solving more problems than ever before.

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It may also be unintentionally creating new problems, but in comparison to any other time

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in history, human prosperity has outpaced despair on countless measurable fronts.

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A risk factor arises, however, if an AGI cuts off our access to the internet or the cloud.

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This would have devastating impacts for the human race.

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That is why many intellectuals have theories about keeping an AGI entity in a Blackbox

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(staved off from the internet).

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If the AGI were to get loose, and was truly sentient and emotional, no one knows how it

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would behave.

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Evolution will likely use a mechanism to override the code we write–whether it's a rogue human

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or just manipulation by a superior machine–so that they will be programmed to pursue any

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means necessary to prolong their life, which brings us to our final topic: Lifespan.

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Lifespan The contrast between the lifespan of a human

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and a sentient machine rests on whether or not the conscious machine could transport

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its individuality from one body to another.

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We cannot even identify the physical process nor location of where consciousness manifests

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in humans, let alone attempt to remove and restore it elsewhere.

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If we were, the thing that makes you you, could then live much longer depending how

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fast it would decay or degrade.

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So, if machine sentience is fungible, meaning we just need to properly store the code and

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memories, safely moving them from time-to-time, we can predict that the life of a machine

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could live for thousands, maybe millions of years, assuming perfect environmental conditions.

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If it is born to a single body, then the lifespan would be as long as the machine architecture

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that houses its consciousness could resist entropy.

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Computers and laptops do not last more than a couple decades and require extensive upkeep

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and maintenance as more time passes.

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Humans, on the other hand, are not very resilient against entropy and usually live a medium

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duration experience relative to other complex life, reaching a recorded max of 122 years

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of age.

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Some trees and plants live thousands of years while some aquatic life and turtles can live

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hundreds of years.

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The lifespan for humans could grow by many decades as technology improves, and our understanding

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of human physiology and biology improves, but for now, it appears our cells are only

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able to coordinate correctly for roughly a century before succumbing to damage and lost

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organization.

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Conclusion The human body, and all its exquisite beauty,

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may look much different than a computer, but the functions of the nervous system are more

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similar to a computer’s internal network than many realize.

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While the mechanics of computers and their structure do not exactly mirror biomechanics

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and anatomical structures of humans, upon close examination, the underlying processes

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do have some crossover.

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Additionally, the myriad of functional outputs of machines do resemble that of humankind

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with one major exception: consciousness.

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Artificial IntelligenceConscious MachinesTechnological SingularityMachinity ConceptHuman-Machine SymbiosisFuture PredictionsCognitive EvolutionDigital SentienceBiological vs. SyntheticEthical AI