Lifeboat Foundation

Scientists are trying to build a new sort of satellite, and have recently tested their idea with the Starling Formation-Flying Optical Experiment, or “StarFOX.” You may be getting flashbacks to the retro Star Fox video game series — and you’d be right to imagine this experiment as a science fiction fantasy brought into reality. There are no space-faring animals here, though.

Basically, StarFOX is a quartet of small satellites that work in tandem — a satellite “swarm,” as it’s sometimes called. This concept isn’t entirely new, but there’s something that sets StarFOX apart from standard satellite swarms. Typically, these conglomerates need external help in terms of orientation — but StarFOX’s four satellites can gauge their own positions with onboard cameras, an ability that could allow them to operate autonomously well beyond Earth orbit.

Can a process as complex as science be automated?

Scientific discovery is one of the most sophisticated human activities. First, scientists must understand the existing knowledge and identify a significant gap.

Next, they must formulate a research question and design and conduct an experiment in pursuit of an answer.

Continue reading “Newly Created ‘AI Scientist’ Is About to Start Churning Out Research” »

Two years on, most of those productivity gains haven’t materialized. And we’ve seen something peculiar and slightly unexpected happen: People have started forming relationships with AI systems. We talk to them, say please and thank you, and have started to invite AIs into our lives as friends, lovers, mentors, therapists, and teachers.

We’re seeing a giant, real-world experiment unfold, and it’s still uncertain what impact these AI companions will have either on us individually or on society as a whole, argue Robert Mahari, a joint JD-PhD candidate at the MIT Media Lab and Harvard Law School, and Pat Pataranutaporn, a researcher at the MIT Media Lab. They say we need to prepare for “addictive intelligence”, or AI companions that have dark patterns built into them to get us hooked. You can read their piece here. They look at how smart regulation can help us prevent some of the risks associated with AI chatbots that get deep inside our heads.

The idea that we’ll form bonds with AI companions is no longer just hypothetical. Chatbots with even more emotive voices, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4o, are likely to reel us in even deeper. During safety testing, OpenAI observed that users would use language that indicated they had formed connections with AI models, such as “This is our last day together.” The company itself admits that emotional reliance is one risk that might be heightened by its new voice-enabled chatbot.

Join Randal Koene, a computational neuroscientist, as he dives into the intricate world of whole brain emulation and mind uploading, while touching on the ethical pillars of AI. In this episode, Koene discusses the importance of equal access to AI, data ownership, and the ethical impact of AI development. He explains the potential future of AGI, how current social and political systems might influence it, and touches on the scientific and philosophical aspects of creating a substrate-independent mind. Koene also elaborates on the differences between human cognition and artificial neural networks, the challenge of translating brain structure to function, and efforts to accelerate neuroscience research through structured challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Randal Koene and Whole Brain Emulation.
00:39 Ethical Considerations in AI Development.
02:20 Challenges of Equal Access and Data Ownership.
03:40 Impact of AGI on Society and Development.
05:58 Understanding Mind Uploading.
06:39 Randall’s Journey into Computational Neuroscience.
08:14 Scientific and Philosophical Aspects of Substrate Independent Minds.
13:07 Brain Function and Memory Processes.
25:34 Whole Brain Emulation: Current Techniques and Challenges.
32:12 The Future of Neuroscience and AI Collaboration.

Continue reading “The Ethics, Challenges, and Future of Whole Brain Emulation & AGI | Deep Interview with Randal Koene” »

Mikey Siegel, with a background in robotics from the MIT Media Lab, shares insights from his decade-long exploration into technology’s role in human well-being and consciousness. He discusses the profound potential of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) shaped with compassionate and wise values. Siegel emphasizes the importance of the human developmental process in creating benevolent AI and the integration of contemplative practices in tech development. He envisions a future where AGI supports human development globally with love and care, akin to a parent nurturing a child, ultimately fostering a connected and compassionate society.

00:00 Introduction to Mikey Siegel and His Work.
01:09 The Profound Impact of AGI on Humanity.
02:42 The Role of AI in Shaping Reality.
04:06 The Vision of a Compassionate Super Intelligence.
07:26 Creating AI from a Culture of Compassion.
07:51 Integrating Human Development in AI Creation.
09:28 Ownership and Developmental Stages of AI
12:13 Demystifying the Mystical Through Science.
14:53 Preparing for the Future of AI

Continue reading “Elevating Humanity Through Technology | Deep Interview with Mikey Siegel” »

Isaac arthur rokos basilisk.

The dangers of artificial intelligence have long loomed in our future, and seem ever closer. But it may be that the dangers of the future can reach back into the past itself, and even without a time machine.

Continue reading “Roko’s Basilisk: Dangerous Knowledge & All-Powerful AI” »

Everybody is talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is in our computers, services and even our mobile phones. The AI composes our messages, predicts our moves and even takes photos for us. Are we – humans – going to become “obsolete” in a matter of years?! Maybe there is a last chance – Intelligence Amplification (IA).

While an AI needs to be developed from scratch, we humans, already have great intelligence thanks to countless years of evolution. A modern human’s brain is an awesome tool!

Among us, there are some geniuses, but imagine if everybody can become one. And not just a genius, but a super-genius. Smarter than every person who has ever lived before! This is the idea behind Intelligence Amplification. To use our intelligence as a base and to add computers to make us smarter beyond our imagination. A hybrid, a work of art!

While silicon-based computing is cutting-edge today, human brain-based tech could be on track to dominate the future.

Nearly 200 DeepMind workers signed a letter urging Google to drop military contracts, fearing AI misuse and violations of the company’s own rules.