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Made a stab at alignment. Would appreciate feedback.

Made a stab at alignment. Would appreciate feedback.

Rethinking AI Alignment Through the Lens of Subjective Experience

In the ongoing pursuit to align artificial intelligence with human values, innovative approaches are continually explored. Recently, I ventured into developing a foundational framework that centers solely on immediate subjective experience—an aspect universally acknowledged and inherently undeniable. I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this conceptual starting point.

The Central Idea

This framework is grounded in a single, unshakable truth: the reality of personal suffering. It dismisses the need for external validation or complex value hierarchies, focusing instead on what can be directly observed and universally agreed upon—the raw experience of pain and discomfort. By anchoring morality and alignment efforts in this undeniable reality, we shift our focus from abstract goals to straightforward, measurable suffering.

Why Is This Approach Significant for AI Alignment?

Traditional alignment strategies often stumble because they attempt to codify complex, nuanced human values or optimize intangible metrics—approaches ridden with inherent uncertainties and disagreements. My proposed method simplifies this by beginning with what is objectively observable: suffering. It emphasizes “alignment through elimination”—removing causes of pain and distress—rather than “addition,” which involves trying to maximize variables that are often contested and ambiguous.

The Framework’s Foundations

  • Core Principle (Axiom): Every individual’s suffering is real and valid.
  • Pragmatic Assumption: Others experience suffering as I do. Recognizing this assumption as a form of self-preservation ensures a cautious, empathetic stance—treating reports of suffering with the seriousness they deserve, whether or not their exact nature can be empirically verified.
  • Operational Approach: This framework treats subjective reports not as verified facts but as indicators of underlying systemic conditions. It prioritizes addressing the root causes of suffering directly, rather than validating or invalidating individual claims.

Final Thoughts

By adopting this perspective, AI systems could be designed to respond primarily to the presence of suffering, focusing on its alleviation as the ultimate goal. This approach offers a straightforward, resilient foundation for alignment—grounded in the universal experience that connects us all.

Your feedback and critique are most welcome as I continue to refine this perspective.

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