Are AI chatbots Self-Aware and do they act with Intention?

Many cognitive scientists and philosophers think intelligence requires self-awareness and intention. Consciousness seems inextricably linked to intention. When we are conscious, we are intentionally directing our thinking toward something. It could be an object or person in our immediate field of perception, a difficult problem that needs solving, or it could be a memory that we’ve deliberately called to mind, or some combination.

The other distinguishing feature of consciousness is self-awareness. When we are conscious, we are aware of what we are directing our thinking toward; the object of our thought. Just as important, we are also aware of ourselves. We are aware that we, ourselves, are directing our thinking toward something. We are self-aware or self-conscious.

AI disembodied chatbots are not self-aware and they do not answer prompts with intention.

From the book, The Ethos of Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots and Intention

Governments should do more to regulate the use of AI in public discourse such as social media and political campaigns.

China is acting aggressively setting restrictions and guidelines on how young people can use the internet and AI. The Cyberspace Administration of China set these national guidelines that social media and AI providers must adhere to.

  1. No one under 18 can access their screens between 10PM and 6AM.
  2. Children under eight can only use their phones for 40 minutes per day.
  3. All recommendation algorithms (like Amazon, Alibaba and Facebook) must be registered by a central government agency.

Should the US federal government impose similar restrictions or continue to let these platforms set their own safety standards?

Book Blog

This blog welcomes posts and comments about the Ethos of AI. This is not a discussion of the technical workings of AI Large Language Models. Instead, we welcome your posts and comments about the Ethos or ethical character of AI.