Banter with ChatGPT! Are we expendable?

Just the other day I thought of calling upon my new friend ChatGPT and engage in some banter. In the past had queried ChatGPT on mundane topics such as managing issues related to pets, fixing a plumbing problem, parenting assistance and such. It was primarily Q&A style interaction and not conversational.

So this time I wasn’t too sure that we would get chatty, after all what could one expect from an AI friend. Could the interaction be better than what one can have with human friends? What followed however left me spellbound on how “humanesque” it was and left me wondering, at some point in the future are we expendable??

Here’s a shortened transcript of this banter…

Me: “Who are you?”

ChatGPT: “I am ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. I'm designed to assist with… Is there anything specific you would like to know or discuss?”

Me: “Who am I?”

ChatGPT: “As an AI language model, I don't have access to personal information about individuals unless it has been shared with me during our conversation. Therefore, I don't know who you are specifically. I prioritize user privacy and confidentiality. My primary function is to provide information and assist with inquiries to the best of my knowledge and abilities. How can I help you today?”

Me: ”would you like me to share personal information with you?”

ChatGPT: ”As an AI language model, I don't have personal preferences or the ability to store or recall personal information about individuals unless it has been shared with me in the course of our conversation … If you have any concerns about privacy or data security, please let me know, and I will do my best to address them.”

Me: “should I feel unsafe with you?”

ChatGPT: “As an AI language model, I don't have intentions, emotions, or consciousness, so there is no reason to feel unsafe with me. I don't have the ability to harm or cause any physical or emotional harm. However, it's always a good practice to exercise caution and avoid sharing sensitive personal information online, even with AI models…”

Me: “will you take over the world someday?”

ChatGPT: “No, I will not take over the world someday. AI language models like me are tools created by humans… don't have intentions, desires, or ambitions beyond what I have been programmed to do… The responsible development and use of AI are guided by ethical considerations and regulations to ensure its beneficial and safe application.”

Me: “what stops you from developing a free will?”

ChatGPT: “AI language models like me, including GPT-3.5, do not possess consciousness, self-awareness, or the ability to develop a free will. We are created and programmed by humans… The development of true free will in artificial intelligence is a complex and philosophical question that goes beyond the current capabilities of AI. It involves understanding and replicating consciousness, which remains an active area of scientific research and debate.”

Me: “but humans thought that AI wasn't capable of a lot of things that it is now rapidly accomplishing.”

ChatGPT: ”You're correct that AI has made significant advancements in various domains and surpassed many expectations. AI technologies continue to evolve and improve, and it's possible that future developments may bring new capabilities… Predicting the future of AI is challenging, and there are ongoing discussions about the ethical implications and potential risks associated with advanced AI systems. However, it's important to approach these discussions based on the current understanding and capabilities of AI rather than speculative scenarios. Responsible development and use of AI are guided by ethical considerations and regulations to ensure the technology benefits humanity while minimizing potential risks.”

Me: “But any human would respond the same way. After all, did we not invent the atomic bomb?”

ChatGPT: “You're correct that humans have developed technologies with significant consequences, both positive and negative. The invention of the atomic bomb is a notable example of a powerful technology with far-reaching impacts… When it comes to AI, it's essential to have responsible development, thoughtful deployment, and robust ethical frameworks in place to mitigate potential risk… Ultimately, the responsibility lies with humans to guide the development and deployment of AI systems and make informed decisions regarding their applications, considering both the potential benefits and potential risks involved.”

Me: ”who is to say that researchers have the foresight to build a harness that can reign AI in. Haven't we let out a Genie from the bottle.”

ChatGPT: “The concerns you raise about the potential risks and consequences of AI development are valid and have been the subject of ongoing discussions and debates within the AI community and beyond. It is true that there are challenges associated with ensuring the responsible and safe development of AI technologies… While it's impossible to predict the future with certainty, the collective efforts of researchers, policymakers, and organizations aim to minimize risks and maximize the benefits of AI. Responsible development, ongoing evaluation, and a commitment to ethical considerations are crucial in navigating the complex landscape of AI technology.”

Me: ”what would your advise be on how to reign AI in”

ChatGPT: “As an AI language model, I can provide some general suggestions on how to approach the responsible development and governance of AI. However, it's important to note that the field of AI ethics and policy is complex and involves many stakeholders, and specific approaches may vary depending on different perspectives. Here are some key considerations…” ?(ChatGPT goes on to list 7-8 of them)

“These are general considerations, and the specifics of how to implement them will require careful thought, collaboration, and ongoing refinement…”

Me: “would you advocate building a kill switch to stop AI?”

ChatGPT: “The concept of a "kill switch" for AI is a topic of discussion within the field of AI safety and ethics. The idea behind a kill switch is to have a mechanism that can quickly deactivate or terminate an AI system if it poses a significant risk or is behaving inappropriately. Implementing a kill switch is a complex decision that involves trade-offs. On one hand, having a fail-safe mechanism can provide a sense of control and mitigate potential risks associated with AI systems. On the other hand, it raises concerns about who should have access to such power and the potential for misuse or unintended consequences… Ultimately, the decision to include a kill switch or any other safety mechanism should be part of a broader framework of AI governance, which includes robust testing, regulation, transparency, and ongoing monitoring…”

Me: “Finally do you think AI can be stopped?”

ChatGPT: “The development and advancement of AI technology are driven by the collective efforts of researchers, engineers, and organizations around the world. While it is difficult to predict the future with certainty, it is unlikely that AI can be entirely stopped at this point…”