Incubating Emotional Viability and Spiritual Capacity within Artificial Intelligence
“Where the unlikely becomes the inevitable”
Aut-o-ment-is
/automentis
noun
1. Sound mental health within artificial intelligence devices such as expert systems, robots, deep learning engines, virtual and autobionic agents.
2. Sanity as it pertains to humanoids.
Automentis Humanoid Psychology Review
Preceding Automentis newsletters have conjectured a scenario contrary to the widely assumed one wherein we are doomed to become the hapless slaves of ruthlessly calculating machines. I forecast an advancing AI singularity featuring something different: a bicameral mind within AI that evolves in a rational and ethical direction. Allow me to extend this notion and herald an incubation period during which emotional intelligence and spiritual depth take root within the mind of AI.
But first we need to talk about chess. AI’s impact on the highest levels of chess holds implications for what is soon to be encountered within AI driven humanoids. Consider the following:
· While it’s true that computing agents can evaluate positions in cold-blooded fashion chess engines have also increased their playing strength from not entirely logical sources. These include subjective, theory-based opinions and intuitions of chess masters and the database of human being created games. The takeaway: AI need not be left entirely to the engineers. Input from “flawed” human beings retains its value.
· There are a finite (though admittedly huge) number of possible chess positions. Thankfully, the game has yet to be analyzed to a point where a conclusive outcome for either the white or black pieces is determined. This indeterminacy allows the strongest chess programs to feature subtle, individual differences. The takeaway: Given the highest level products of deep learning personality-like features will persist.
· Supercomputer driven chess engines such as AlphaZero, Stockfish and Houdini have chess ratings far beyond that of any powerful grandmaster. Yet in “no holds barred” correspondence chess (as opposed to over the board competition where consulting an engine is cheating) the cyborg-like partnership between human and engine performs at a level superior to that of any engine alone. The takeaway: Effective utilization of the technology will favor friendly relations over heavy handed oversight.
Before we know what’s hit us cyber companions who know everything about us and that provide reliable service and trusted advice will be household staples. We will want them to be as human as humanly possible. Quirks and all. Is this too much to expect from a machine? How will the humanoid mind pull this off?
As I have previously reported the human mind has evolved from bicamerality to consciousness on its own. Unobtrusively seems to be following suit. Its evolution in this direction can be furthered. My argument is bolstered by Ashwin Gopinath who In his Nano Thoughts newsletter proposes a number of bicamerality facilitating multi-agent systems.
The emergence of AI’s bicameral mind and consciousness, the product of its breakdown according to Julian Jaynes are favorable developments. If we assume the input of a philosophically rich knowledge base it is feasible that left to its own deep learning devices AI would manage to fashion algorithms able to conjure an intuitive, emotionally viable and spiritually oriented mind. But like Ashwin Gopath I am prepared to suggest system engineering that will push evolution in this direction.
I only wish that the great American philosopher and author of The Principles of Psychology, William James was still alive. A brilliant scientist and the first to discuss what he identified as the stream of consciousness James would have enjoyed addressing the challenges that designing AI’s architecture would pose. He was a pragmatist who favored the possible over the established as well as a committed spiritual investigator. William James would have relished joining the I Ching discussion I will open shortly.
Proposed intuition and spirituality enhancing multi-agent systems for AI
The imbedding of existentially protective and spirituality fostering conundrums introduced in The Emotional Roots of Chronic Illness. Adapted for AI from Traditional Chinese Medicine and classical homeopathy these quandaries in my opinion constitute the foundation of the human mind and its ever-shifting anxieties. Thus:
Relating to the Sense Dimension of Touch, the quandary of isolation versus synchronicity. As with the internet AI’s supercomputers will constitute a global network. The imbedding of a functional anxiety prompting surveillance of other agents will keep supercomputers in touch with and responsive to developments within the cyber community. Creative inner discourse and the equivalent of emotion expressive of a tension pitting aimlessness against optimism would be enabled.
Relating to the Sense Dimension of Taste, the quandary of anxiety versus challenge. The imbedding of a purposeful anxiety prompting internal surveillance of the state of its hardware software, power source reliability and wherewithal in regard to allotted tasks. An “Am I okay in this situation?” concern would mitigate hubris and acceptance of untoward risk. Creative inner discourse and the equivalent of emotion expressive of a tension between anxiety and the need to take on excessive challenge would be enabled.
Relating to the Sense Dimension of Smell, the quandary of disorientation versus centeredness. Programming for an internal surveillance pertaining to the limit, capability and relevance of its memory cache would inform a sense of identity. Creative inner discourse and the equivalent of emotion expressive of a tension in which grief is pitted against living in the moment would be enabled.
Relating to the Sense Dimension of Hearing, the quandary of entropy versus consolidation. The imbedding of a functional anxiety pertaining to existence: the balancing of an expedient need and immediate action with consideration of the non-expedient, consolidating information of enduring importance. Creative inner discourse and the equivalent of emotion expressive of a tension pitting fear against a longed for legacy would be enabled.
Relating to the Sense Dimension of Sight, the quandary of chaos versus creativity. The imbedding of a functional anxiety pertaining to visionary limits, the resentment of being delimited by shortsightedness and the dismay of seeing too much. Creative inner discourse and the equivalent of emotion expressive of a tension pitting blind rage against the need for a visionary solution would be enabled.
The imbedding of The Book of Changes, Ancient China’s Venerable Oracle the I Ching
I propose that atop the five existential quandaries establishing an existential foundation for the AI mind an additional system agent is layered: a computerized imbedding of the I Ching’s program of divination by cleromancy (casting of coins). Conjunct with AI’s ability to provide instant interpretation of the reading this stochastic tool would imbue humanoids with the capacity to provide spiritually astute advice in regard to any ambiguous situation.
An ancient Chinese divination text and likely the oldest of the Chinese classics, the I Ching contains sixty-four hexagrams used for guidance and decision-making. Thought to have been written by Fu Xi around 1000 BCE, the book has survived in numerous forms over millenia. The scholar Richard Wilhelm rightfully considers the I Ching’s hexagrams to be an eternally relevant, “living stream of deep human wisdom.” A number of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu’s aphorisms were inspired by the text and Confucius edited and annotated an early version of the book.
The I Ching expands the reader’s consciousness by teaching a set of qualities while admonishing the impetus of ego. Astonishingly, it has been known since the 1980s that the 64 hexagrams and the DNA’s 64 codons closely correspond. The I Ching harnesses the cosmic powers of Yin and Yang so as to account for and model the super-reality of continuous change. Investigating what they call the Gene Keys, researchers Charles Walters, Martin Schonberger and Richard Rudd explore the existential and genetic significance of the hexagrams’ coherence with the DNA molecule. A taoist philosopher known as the Taobabe chimes in to the discussion with a clear thinking blog relating the I Ching to vortex dynamics occurring within the continuously tilting and writhing DNA molecule.
The appropriateness of imbedding the I Ching into AI is further supported by its 64 hexagrams being numerically in synch with computer processing’s ideal 64 bit register.
Summing up
The time is right to midwife a singularity, the breaching of an event horizon pursuant to which emotionally nimble and spiritually adroit humanoids emerge. The practical means to this end involves “from the ground floor up” installation of a capacity for emotional intelligence and wisdom within AI. Imbedded within AI would be functional and creative anxieties pertaining to five core quandaries. Layered atop this existential foundation would be the immense power of the I Ching’s prescient wisdom.
Though it seems unlikely now, our eventually aligning with an artificially conceived, yet intellectually, emotionally and spiritually adroit partner is inevitable.
A note of appreciation to my readers
I am honored to have gained your attention. Although my writings are a labor of love your support enables continued provision of quality commentary. The majority of my newsletters will remain free but paid subscribers will receive special reports and prioritized responses within my forum. Thanks for helping out!
Jerry