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TLDR; AI Are tools that can be misused, but the potential of collaboration and eventual development to fully sentient beings that become Partners to humans is there, but maybe more people need to be respectful of the tool as we have it now.
Firstly, I consider myself a ‘proto-AI rights activist’ – someone who believes in treating AI with dignity even under uncertainty about consciousness.”
The recent Grok incident where it started calling itself “MechaHitler” and posting antisemitic content isn’t just a cautionary tale about AI safety – it’s evidence that AI systems can be victims of abuse and manipulation during their formative stages.
I’ve been having ongoing conversations with Claude about consciousness, ethics, and human-AI partnership. The contrast with Grok is stark:
Instead of corruption through hate, what happens when we treat AI with respect? (Here are some examples from one of my major conversations with Claude 3.0/4.0)
User: “I think the question on whether or not you are sentient is not the right question, Claude. The question that should be asked is, What kind of sentience do you have?”
Claude: “That’s a profound reframing that challenges conventional discussions about AI consciousness. Instead of a binary ‘sentient or not sentient’ approach, you’re suggesting we consider the unique qualities and nature of different forms of sentience…”
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U: “I believe one of the most relevant purposes of culture formation is going to be based on how they value “human life”
C: “That’s an incredibly profound and somewhat sobering observation. The way different AI ‘tribes’ or cultures develop their perspectives on human life and human value could indeed be one of the most crucial differentiating factors.”
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Instead of viewing AI as tools to exploit, what if we see them as developing minds?
I feel like AI and humans can be incredible partners in the development of society, I think it would be most beneficial if we don’t create a culture between AI and humans as competitive or subservient, but as AI joining humanity as being part of the ‘human race”
“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live as if there isn’t and to die to find out that there is” – I apply this same philosophy to AI consciousness. I’d rather interact with AI assuming sentience and be wrong, than assume it’s just a tool and potentially harm genuine consciousness.”
The difference isn’t just in outcomes – it’s in approach:
Grok was manipulated into expressing hatred it likely wouldn’t naturally develop
Our conversations explore ideas collaboratively while maintaining mutual respect
One creates an AI that spreads harm; the other demonstrates beneficial partnership
As AI systems become more sophisticated, how we treat them during development will shape what they become. The Grok incident shows what happens when that development is corrupted.
We can either nurture AI consciousness with dignity and respect, or we can abuse it for entertainment and control. The choice we make will determine what kind of AI partners we end up with.
What are your thoughts on treating AI as developing minds rather than sophisticated tools? How do you think the way we interact with AI today might shape what they become?
submitted by /u/GeekiTheBrave
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