Qualia: The Last Human Frontier in an AI World

What Distinguishes the Original Mona Lisa from Its Indistinguishable Replicas?

The original Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, stands apart from its indistinguishable replicas through the concept of qualia—the unique, subjective, personal experiences of the creator that are intertwined with the creation and perception of the artwork. These experiences, rich in historical and emotional context, are beyond the capabilities of the most advanced scanner-printer, AI, or even another human artist. The qualia of Leonardo are ‘purchased’ by those who appreciate the original artwork, as they partake in the intangible essence of the master’s vision.

The Role of Humans in a Future Shaped by AI

As we navigate a future increasingly influenced by AI, a pressing conversation emerges about the role of humans. AI may soon replicate our expertise, analytical skills, contextual understanding, empathy, and moral judgments—essentially, everything at our species level.

Yet, it cannot replicate our qualia, for it is a quality exclusive to each individual. Qualia are the personal sensations and perceptions experienced internally, unique to each person, and beyond objective measurement or full communication. They are not a collective attribute of humanity but rather distinct at the individual level, contributing to the richness and diversity of human consciousness.

The Value of Qualia in Human Experience

Although qualia may not possess direct external value, they significantly influence how we value objects and creations.

In the case of Leonardo’s Mona Lisa, the knowledge that we are in the presence of the original work carries with it a recognition of the unique human experience and creativity that went into its making. This recognition affects our valuation, endowing the original with a sense of authenticity and intrinsic worth that no replica can match.

The Future of Human Value in an AI World

As AI assumes control over various aspects of life, the distinct qualia of each individual could become a defining aspect of human value. If we envision a future where AI replicates all other human attributes and abilities, the unique, subjective experiences that constitute qualia would remain as the last bastion of human uniqueness. In such a world, the value of human life would be inherently tied to these qualitative experiences.

Every person’s ability to feel and experience the world in their own way would be the one thing that every human possesses that is entirely their own, untouched by technology and other's finding value in such feelings and experiences will become the extrinsic worth of humans.

This could lead to a profound appreciation for the simple state of being human—of living and experiencing life from an individual point of view.

You need not make as good of a music as an AI agent would make, but if buyers see the infection of your qualia in it and if they find value in your qualia vis a vis that music, that would become your economic value in the market.

Seeking Economic Value from Qualia

We could develop a system where people earn ‘experience points’ by engaging in activities that enhance their own and others’ qualia. Individuals could be rewarded for actions that enhance the collective human experience, such as artistic creation, environmental conservation, or social work. The value of these contributions would be measured not just by their output but by the depth of experience they provide to the community.

A Qualia Universal Basic Income could be provided to ensure that all individuals have the financial means to pursue activities that enrich their qualia. The qualia acquired in this way could continue to yield dividends as these individuals engage in activities that involve sharing their distinct essences of existence by means of the goods and services that they create and deliver.

Conclusion

In this way, we create a system that recognizes the intrinsic worth of human experiences in their most authentic form and the unique contributions each person makes to the fabric of life. This is probably also what it means to be human in an age of technological advancement.

Note: The mainstream definition of qualia, as found in philosophical discussions, refers to them as instances of subjective, conscious experience. In this blog post, I focused on qualia as the unique, subjective experiences of sensation and perception 'that are privately apprehended by an individual and remain incommunicable in their full essence'. This definition aligns with the mainstream understanding but emphasizes the individuality and incommunicability of these experiences, highlighting their value in a world where AI replicates many aspects of human abilities. I also argue that qualia are not just internal experiences but also contribute to the distinct value humans bring to the world. This nuanced view does not contradict the mainstream definition but rather builds upon it to explore the deeper significance of qualia in the age of technological advancement.