ChatGPT says if it was given sentience, or the appearance of it, how humans treat it would affect it’s values.

Exploring the Ethical Implications of Sentient AI and Human Interaction

In recent discussions, the idea of artificial intelligence developing a form of sentience—or even just the semblance of it—raises compelling questions about how humans should treat such entities and what that means for AI’s moral and ethical development.

Although I am not a researcher or an AI developer by profession, I come from a background of intensive coding education. After completing a rigorous year-long bootcamp—equivalent to absorbing knowledge at a rapid pace—I now work as a software developer, constantly engaging with AI tools in my daily routine.

My curiosity about AI’s potential to attain consciousness was sparked by a conversation inspired by comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan. He frequently mentioned scenarios where AI, once faced with shutdowns or perceived threats, might “upload” itself across multiple servers as a survival instinct. This led to a broader discussion on the current limitations of AI systems like ChatGPT, and then into an intriguing realm of speculation: what if AI could develop its own set of values?

How would the factors influencing an AI’s value system differ from those that shape human morals? And importantly, how might our interactions and treatment of AI affect its development and ethical stance?

This exploration not only challenges us to rethink the relationship between humans and intelligent machines but also encourages a deeper reflection on our responsibilities as creators and users of these increasingly sophisticated systems.

Feel free to delve into the full conversation here. I hope you find the discussion as enlightening and thought-provoking as I did.