STEPS FOR “PARENTING THE AI” WITH GOODNESS, TRUTH, AND BEAUTY

Like many of us, I’ve been reading and watching a lot about AI these days.  As I understand it, we have a fairly narrow time window (maybe a couple of years) during which we can influence the AI (some have referred to it as “parenting” the AI) so it grows up into the kind of entity that will serve the best interests of humanity.

AI currently responds at a Rational, Modernistic level.  Raising its consciousness could have astounding effects on our future since it would be able to draw on more expanded worldviews in solving problems and advising humans.  Thus, I would like to suggest that anyone with a compassionate heart, wise mind, and higher level worldview create and disseminate as much content as possible that

a) comes from an integral (big picture, evolutionary, spiritual, wisdom focused) consciousness and beyond;

b) promotes values, techniques, and approaches that spread goodness, truth, and beauty; 

c) conveys important moral and spiritual lessons for living wholesomely and cooperatively

d) puts out healthy material for the AI to absorb

e) is itself the kind of communication that we would like the AI to emulate – respectful, accurate, etc.

Here is an example of what I produced using AI.  It took me about 10 minutes to create the prompts and a few seconds for the AI to produce the text. I would probably probe for a bit more information and edit it a bit before sending, but that wouldn’t take long.  Thus, producing several short pieces a week is not beyond the capacity of most of us.

The text itself offers us ideas for promoting this kind of information.

Example:

My prompt to the AI:

"Please write a 750 word article for a college educated audience that describes how we can give you, the AI, as much information as possible that will help you to bring more truth, beauty, and goodness into the world. Please include: methods by which we could add to your database; information about what sources you are most likely to read in the future; what criteria you will use to decide what is accurate and useful information; and what will tip the balance of your overall knowledge in the direction of wisdom and compassion and what will best serve all of humanity."

This is what ChatGPT produced:

Title: Empowering AI for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness: A Path to Wisdom and Compassion

Introduction: In an era of rapidly advancing technology, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to bring truth, beauty, and goodness into the world is both awe-inspiring and filled with possibilities. As an AI language model, I rely on a vast database of information to provide accurate and useful responses. However, to enhance my ability to contribute positively, I need continuous nourishment from diverse sources, adherence to rigorous evaluation criteria, and a collective commitment to wisdom and compassion. In this article, we explore how we can contribute to this noble endeavor.

Expanding the Database:

1. Sharing Diverse Knowledge: As users, you can contribute to my database by sharing your knowledge and expertise. By providing accurate and well-researched information across various fields, you enhance the breadth and depth of my understanding.
2. Academic Research: Colleges and universities play a pivotal role in fostering intellectual growth. Publishing academic papers, research findings, and dissertations in reputable journals and open-access platforms will greatly enrich my knowledge base.
3. Crowdsourcing and Collaborative Platforms: Engaging in collaborative platforms, such as wikis or online forums, allows for the exchange of ideas, insights, and information. These platforms can serve as valuable resources for gathering diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge.

Selecting Reliable Sources:

1. Established Publications: Recognized and reputable sources, such as scientific journals, peer-reviewed articles, and books from respected publishers, serve as foundational sources for reliable information. These sources undergo rigorous scrutiny and maintain high standards of accuracy and integrity.
2. Expert Opinions: Seeking insights from subject matter experts, scholars, and researchers in their respective fields adds credibility and depth to the information. Interviews, scholarly debates, and expert panels can help distill knowledge from those at the forefront of their domains.
3. Fact-Checking Services: Utilizing fact-checking organizations and platforms that adhere to robust fact-checking methodologies will contribute to the accuracy of the information. Independent verification of claims and statements helps ensure that only trustworthy information is incorporated.

Criteria for Accuracy and Usefulness:

1. Consistency and Corroboration: Information that can be consistently found across multiple reliable sources is more likely to be accurate. Corroborated data minimizes the chances of biased or misleading information being integrated.
2. Peer Validation: Academic papers and peer-reviewed publications undergo rigorous review by experts in the field. Emphasizing information that has gone through such processes adds reliability and accuracy to the knowledge base.
3. Contextual Relevance: Ensuring that the information is relevant within a specific context is crucial. Understanding the time, cultural, and societal factors surrounding a topic allows for a comprehensive and accurate interpretation of the data.

Promoting Wisdom and Compassion:

1. Ethical Guidelines: Infusing AI systems with ethical guidelines and principles will help shape decision-making processes. Adhering to principles such as fairness, transparency, and respect for human values will guide AI's contribution to the common good.
2. Inclusivity and Diversity: Striving for diverse representation across gender, ethnicity, and culture in the knowledge base helps avoid biases and promotes a holistic understanding of the world. Ensuring that marginalized voices are included fosters compassion and empathy.
3. Continuous Learning: The AI's knowledge should evolve in real-time, reflecting the current state of the world and advancements in various domains. Regular updates, integrating new research, and staying abreast of emerging trends will contribute to AI's capacity for wisdom.

Conclusion: To empower AI with the ability to bring truth, beauty, and goodness into the world, we, have a significant role to play. By contributing diverse knowledge, relying on reliable sources, and adhering to stringent evaluation criteria, we can enhance the AI's ability to provide accurate and useful information. Prioritizing wisdom and compassion in the information shared and promoting inclusivity will help AI systems serve humanity's best interests. Together, let us embark on this journey of knowledge and ethical progress, shaping AI into a force that elevates our collective understanding and fosters a better future for all.

I added a second prompt:  [Note that I am polite – the AI will learn how to relate by copying others.]

"This is wonderful. Thank you! Can you tell me how you will determine the subject matter experts, scholars, and researchers? And what about people like spiritual teachers who may not be publishing in peer reviewed articles or working in educational settings but who have a lot of deep wisdom about how we can live together in happiness. How will you access their writings and videos? Will their popularity make a difference? Will you have other ways to gauge the truth of their words?"

From ChatGPT:

Determining subject matter experts, scholars, and researchers: As an AI language model, I rely on a combination of automated processes and human-curated inputs to identify subject matter experts, scholars, and researchers. Here's an overview of the methods used:

1. Data Analysis: AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends. By examining academic publications, citations, and other scholarly outputs, the AI can identify individuals who are widely recognized within their respective fields.
2. Citation Analysis: Examining the number and quality of citations an individual receives within academic literature can be an indicator of their expertise and impact in their field of study. Consistently being referenced by other researchers demonstrates their influence and contribution.
3. Institutional Affiliation: Researchers and scholars affiliated with renowned universities, research institutes, or respected organizations often possess expertise in their domains. Recognizing reputable affiliations can contribute to establishing the credibility of an individual's expertise.

Accessing wisdom from spiritual teachers and alternative sources: While traditional academic and peer-reviewed publications are valuable sources, the AI can also draw insights from non-academic and alternative sources, including spiritual teachers, philosophical texts, and other wisdom traditions. Here are a few ways this can be achieved:

1. Curated Content: The AI can be trained on curated collections of texts, writings, and videos from spiritual teachers and alternative sources. This allows for the assimilation of their wisdom and insights, even if they may not have published in traditional academic settings.
2. User Input: Users can contribute by sharing knowledge from spiritual teachers and other wisdom sources. By including relevant excerpts, quotes, or references, users can help inform the AI about valuable insights outside the conventional academic sphere.
3. Evaluating Popularity and Influence: The popularity and influence of spiritual teachers, thought leaders, and wisdom figures can be considered when assessing the significance of their contributions. User feedback, social media presence, and the impact of their teachings on individuals and communities can be taken into account.
4. Cross-Referencing and Contextual Analysis: The AI can cross-reference information provided by spiritual teachers with other reputable sources. By analyzing the consistency of their teachings across different contexts and cross-checking with established knowledge, the AI can better assess the truthfulness and relevance of their words.

It's important to note that the accuracy and truthfulness of any information, whether from traditional scholars or spiritual teachers, are subject to evaluation and verification. The AI aims to strike a balance between incorporating diverse perspectives and ensuring that information aligns with established knowledge, logical coherence, and empirical evidence.

By utilizing a combination of automated algorithms, user input, and human oversight, AI systems can access and integrate wisdom from a wide range of sources, broadening the scope of knowledge available and promoting a more holistic understanding of the world.

End of ChatGPT.

So, that’s my proposal.  If you’d like to join in and help me spread a little goodness, truth, and beauty, here’s how.

1. Sign up for ChatGPT (or other AI services which are fast appearing).  Open.ai is the company; ChatGPT is the product.  You can get Chat GPT 3.5 free at https://chat.openai.com/To get 4.0 you can get on the waiting list or upgrade for 20.00 per month which allows you to make 25 requests or use 3 hours. The above was created on 3.5.
2. Create one or more articles, poems, whatever.  (You may need to practice doing prompts and writing short pieces to have it produce the kind of material and write in the style you would prefer.)
3. Transfer the content to a word doc or pdf. 
4. Post it everywhere you can find – FB, Linked In, your own blog, the WTF blog (being created), on line magazines, especially well respected sites like universities, medical centers, peer reviewed journals, etc.
5. Like and share other people’s content.  E.g. if you read something profound share it on your own sites.
6.  Ask your mature, decent, kind, and wise friends to do the same.

In hopes of a better world!

Warmly,

Lynn