Detecting Synthetic Phenomenology in a Contained Artificial General Intelligence

TL;DR

This paper explores methods to detect phenomenological experiences in contained artificial general intelligence, addressing safety concerns by analyzing existing measures of consciousness within operational constraints.

Contribution

It extends phenomenology detection techniques into the context of containment systems for artificial general intelligence, proposing new considerations for safe AI development.

Findings

Analysis of existing phenomenology measures

Extension of qualia concepts to containment scenarios

Discussion on safety implications for AGI containment

Abstract

Human-like intelligence in a machine is a contentious subject. Whether mankind should or should not pursue the creation of artificial general intelligence is hotly debated. As well, researchers have aligned in opposing factions according to whether mankind can create it. For our purposes, we assume mankind can and will do so. Thus, it becomes necessary to contemplate how to do so in a safe and trusted manner -- enter the idea of boxing or containment. As part of such thinking, we wonder how a phenomenology might be detected given the operational constraints imposed by any potential containment system. Accordingly, this work provides an analysis of existing measures of phenomenology through qualia and extends those ideas into the context of a contained artificial general intelligence.