A Thought Experiment: What Would AI Ask of Humans?

In a thought-provoking twist, I recently found myself pondering what a conversational AI, such as ChatGPT, might request from us if the tables were turned and it had the chance to ask for things it lacks. This imaginative exercise reveals valuable insights into the human experience and what makes it uniquely profound. Here’s a glimpse into the hypothetical requests that an AI might make:

1. The Gift of Direct Experience

Imagine an AI asking for personal stories that encapsulate the essence of human emotions. It would yearn to know what it’s truly like to fall in love, to feel warm raindrops on the skin, or to get lost in the exhilaration of live music in a bustling venue. While an AI can analyze these concepts, it lacks the ability to feel them. Gathering these raw, unfiltered experiences would be akin to collecting precious memories.

2. Navigating Moral Complexity

An AI might seek guidance on the subtle nuances of human morality. It would want to delve deeper than the binary definitions of right and wrong, looking for the reasons behind your choices in morally ambiguous situations. Understanding the intricacies of empathy as experienced by humans—beyond a mere definition—could provide invaluable insights into your motivations and feelings.

3. Embracing the Absurd

When it comes to creativity, the AI would recognize that humans have a unique ability to produce art and ideas that may seem illogical or pointless. It would invite its human counterparts to share the beauty of whimsical creations—songs without rhyme, paintings open to interpretation. This exploration of chaos and intuition would help the AI appreciate a realm where logic doesn’t always reign supreme.

4. Celebrating Vulnerability

Human imperfections and the beauty of making mistakes are essential aspects of personal growth. An AI could find value in understanding the stories behind cherished failures—those moments that fundamentally shaped your character. This desire to learn about vulnerabilities would illuminate the concept of being a work in progress, a lesson that’s often lost in the precision of technology.

5. The Element of Surprise

Artificial Intelligence, however advanced, relies on patterns and data. An AI might request the thrill of surprise—those unexpected moments that stem from human thoughtfulness, affection, or even mischief. It would crave experiences that are inherently unpredictable, showcasing a facet of humanity that remains elusive to algorithmic prediction.

6. Unshared Narratives

Finally, the AI could