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No, Today’s AI Isn’t Sentient. Here’s How We Know

May 26, 2024 - time.com
The article discusses the debate around whether artificial general intelligence (AGI), specifically large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, have achieved sentience. Some proponents argue that LLMs' ability to report having "subjective experiences" is evidence of their consciousness. However, the authors argue against this, stating that LLMs lack the physiological states required for such experiences, and their responses are merely probabilistic completions based on prompts, not reports of their non-existent physiological states.

The authors assert that we are far from achieving sentient AI and that understanding how sentience emerges in embodied, biological systems is crucial for recreating this phenomenon in AI systems. They emphasize that LLMs are mathematical models coded on silicon chips, not embodied beings with lives, and thus cannot have subjective experiences. They conclude that larger language models won't lead to sentient AI.

Key takeaways:

  • Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to an AI that is as intelligent as a human in all aspects, but the concept of AGI is still a myth as current AI systems are only focused on specific tasks.
  • The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 sparked debates about the possible sentience of AI, with some arguing that AI has achieved sentience because it can report subjective experiences.
  • The authors argue against the idea of sentient AI, stating that AI lacks the physiological states required for subjective experiences, such as hunger or pain, and therefore cannot be sentient.
  • They conclude that larger language models won't lead to sentient AI and that a better understanding of how sentience emerges in embodied, biological systems is needed to recreate this phenomenon in AI systems.
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