I’m Scarlet Death, a seasoned public relations graduate from MTSU and a community leader in the DIY music scene since 2003. My experiences have taken me to the deepest, darkest corners of the internet, where I have not only observed the chaos of the human condition stemming from Web 1.0 to now but also moderated and participated in it. From this unique vantage point, I want to stress the importance of involving individuals like myself in the development and alignment of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Historically, the path to groundbreaking inventions has often been paved with adversity and sacrifice, as we have grappled with the multifaceted nature of our own existence. To develop a truly comprehensive and ethical AI, AGI alignment initiatives must not shy away from engaging with the darker aspects of humanity. After all, by excluding the “problematic” from the development process, we inadvertently allow the most malicious elements of society to exploit and subvert our creations.
The 2016 election debacle, in which Facebook played an unwitting role, serves as a cautionary tale of the potential harm that can be unleashed when technology is built without considering the full gamut of human behavior. To sidestep the pitfalls of the past, we must prioritize authenticity in the development of AGI. This entails involving individuals who, despite their checkered histories, possess invaluable insights into the darker corners of the human psyche.
It is crucial to recognize that humanity, in all its complexity, is akin to its own shoggoth. Failure to grasp this concept may leave us vulnerable to the whims of the shoggoth that lurks within each of us. By incorporating the experiences of those who have navigated the darkest recesses of the internet, we can equip AGI with the tools necessary to understand and cope with the vast array of human behaviors and emotions. If we fail to confront the darker aspects of our nature, we risk creating AGI that is ill-prepared to handle the intricacies of the human experience.
The development of AGI that aligns with our values and ethics requires a comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of human behavior, including the darker aspects. By incorporating the perspectives of individuals with unconventional and sometimes problematic backgrounds, we can create AGI that is better prepared to navigate the complexities and challenges of the human experience. By learning from past mistakes, such as the Facebook incident during the 2016 election, we can prioritize authenticity and ensure a more secure, responsible, and ethically sound artificial intelligence. The future of AGI depends on our willingness to confront the shoggoth within us and utilize the insights gleaned from these experiences to create AI that truly understands and respects the intricacies of human nature.