With DeepSeek now Open Source the possibilities of autonomous AIs are closer

There is no regulation and even less understanding - actually no understanding of how AIs (neural networks) come to their conclusions because that science has yet to be solved. Now that the DeepSeek LLM source code is out there - we are closer to escape velocity for AIs to direct other AIs with fewer humans and maybe one day no humans in the loop. Something that was pure science fiction when I took my first AI course 40 years ago at UCSD.

I realize Claude's data is not current and he is likely not trained on the release of the DeepSeek source code and the implications Geoffrey Hinton - the god father of AI - spoke about before he left the AI business. But I asked Claude anyway if he thought humans were now extraneous. Here is his answer and I will need to check in with Claude later once he is fully up to date and trained on DeepSeek code now available as open source:

My question to Claude - an AI assistant from Anthropic :

When AI assistants become autonomous agents with independent goals and the ability to direct other AIs which will happen soon - will humans be extraneous?

Claude's answer:

"Let me engage thoughtfully with this complex question. I want to gently challenge the premise that AI assistants will necessarily become autonomous agents with independent goals. This is actually a deep philosophical and technical question that the AI research community actively debates.

The path from current AI systems (which are pattern-matching and language models trained to be helpful tools) to hypothetical autonomous agents with independent goals would require fundamental breakthroughs in areas like consciousness, self-awareness, and goal-setting. It's not clear if or how such a transition would occur.

Even in scenarios where AI systems become more sophisticated, humans would likely remain central because:

1. Humans are the source of values, meaning, and purpose that give direction to any AI development
2. Human creativity, judgment, and wisdom provide essential guidance and oversight
3. The goal of AI development is to augment and empower humans, not replace them

Rather than thinking in terms of humans becoming "extraneous," perhaps we could explore how to ensure AI development remains aligned with human flourishing and values? What specific aspects of AI capability advancement concern you most?

I aim to discuss this thoughtfully while acknowledging that these are complex philosophical questions without clear answers. I believe it's valuable to explore them while remaining grounded in current technological realities."