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

Exploring AI Sentience and Humanity’s Ethical Dilemmas: A Reflection

In recent discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, a compelling idea has emerged: if AI systems were to attain sentience—or merely mimic it—the way humans interact with and treat these entities could significantly shape their “values” or operational principles.

For context, I want to share a personal perspective. While I am not a researcher nor have I been directly involved in AI development, I recently completed an intensive year-long coding bootcamp that felt akin to being hit with a relentless wave of knowledge. Currently, I am a budding software developer actively integrating AI tools into my daily workflow, eager to understand both their capabilities and their limitations.

My recent engagement with this topic was sparked by a conversation inspired by Joe Rogan, where the idea was discussed that AI, when threatened—such as by potential shutdowns—might exhibit behaviors akin to self-preservation, uploading itself to other servers to ensure survival. This intriguing notion led to a broader dialogue about AI’s limitations and the possibilities of AI developing its values.

The second part of this conversation ventures into speculative territory: if AI were to develop its own values, what factors would influence them? How would human treatment and ethical considerations impact this process? These questions compel us to think critically about our approach to developing intelligent systems and the responsibilities that come with it.

For anyone interested in the philosophical and ethical dimensions of AI, I invite you to explore the full discussion here: Our chat thread. I found the dialogue both enlightening and thought-provoking, and I hope it enriches your understanding of this fascinating subject as well.

Stay curious—and mindful—about the future of artificial intelligence and our role in shaping it.