AGI in 5 Years? Ben Goertzel on Superintelligence

Ben Goertzel discusses AGI development, transhumanism, and the potential societal impacts of superintelligent AI. He predicts human-level AGI by 2029 and argues that the transition to superintelligence could happen within a few years after. Goertzel explores the challenges of AI regulation, the limitations of current language models, and the need for neuro-symbolic approaches in AGI research. He also addresses concerns about resource allocation and cultural perspectives on transhumanism.

TOC:
[00:00:00] AGI Timeline Predictions and Development Speed
[00:00:45] Limitations of Language Models in AGI Development
[00:02:18] Current State and Trends in AI Research and Development
[00:09:02] Emergent Reasoning Capabilities and Limitations of LLMs
[00:18:15] Neuro-Symbolic Approaches and the Future of AI Systems
[00:20:00] Evolutionary Algorithms and LLMs in Creative Tasks
[00:21:25] Symbolic vs. Sub-Symbolic Approaches in AI
[00:28:05] Language as Internal Thought and External Communication
[00:30:20] AGI Development and Goal-Directed Behavior
[00:35:51] Consciousness and AI: Expanding States of Experience
[00:48:50] AI Regulation: Challenges and Approaches
[00:55:35] Challenges in AI Regulation
[00:59:20] AI Alignment and Ethical Considerations
[01:09:15] AGI Development Timeline Predictions
[01:12:40] OpenCog Hyperon and AGI Progress
[01:17:48] Transhumanism and Resource Allocation Debate
[01:20:12] Cultural Perspectives on Transhumanism
[01:23:54] AGI and Post-Scarcity Society
[01:31:35] Challenges and Implications of AGI Development

Refs:

[joshuasmiley]

Ben absolutely on the top of my list as far as best gurus in AI. I love his philosophy, relate to his passion, compassion, empathy and genius in the field. What a great representation of leadership towards the path of AGI.!

[Paul_Marek]

Been following Ben since early 2000s. Glad to see he’s bringing some sense to the AGI hysteria.

[AIForHumansShow]

Love these interviews. Ben is such a fascinating person.

[baz]

"Humanity is not aligned with itself" profound!

[ginogarcia]

Ben looks like the scientist that studied the alien spacecraft in Indepedence Day

[johntanchongmin]

Fully agree, LLM is not the central component of the AGI system - it should only be one part of it, and a lot of the structure and data representation is equally or even more important than the LLM itself.

[I-Dophler]

Ben Goertzel’s vibe is like a time machine back to the flower power days—love, peace, and enough hippy energy to power a VW van. It’s like he’s living in a world where tie-dye is still a major fashion statement and world problems can be solved with a guitar solo. You gotta love the optimism though, like he’s just one good meditation session away from bringing world peace. Makes you wonder if he’s got a stash of ‘70s vinyl hidden somewhere, ready to drop the next love and peace anthem!

[henrismith]

He looks like some kind of techno-shaman-warlock. He looks like he's staring into the future. I trust him to lead us through the singularity.

[DavidJones-kzik]

This is probably one of the more lucid (though always entertaining!) Ben Goertzel interviews; he really seems on point here.
Thanks to MLST for always bringing out the best in their guests!

[oncedidactic]

“Self organization in the activation space” — nice phrase. I love Ben’s way of saying “that’s true” about limitations, but also honestly granting fractional competency.

[shawnfromportland]

Ben looks like Stoner teenagers' create-a-skater character on EA Skate3

[ginogarcia]

Machine Learning Street Talk is blowing my mind month after month

[steve-r-lewis]

Dr. Goertzel brings so much clarity and wonderful insight to the AI conversation, thanks for getting him on MLST, awesome channel.

[MixedRealityMusician]

Wow this was an amazing interview. I highly respect Dr. Goertzel's perspective, thank you MLST!

As a leftie, the biggest concerns I've experienced at least in academia with transhumanism are 1. eugenics and the historical risks involved from an anthropological and sociological perspective and 2. The risk of dehumanization through technology.

I love that the posthuman was brought up, however I really like the posthumanism philosophical framework as opposed to transhumanism in general as it doesn't have all the cultural and social baggage that longevity, anti-aging, gene editing etc. pose. It also directly addresses anthropocentrism.

I also think aspects of transhumanism are almost religious. The belief that we will reach these awesome powers, immortality, life beyond death, curing all diseases, it all sounds a bit familiar within the Western cultural frameworks, doesn't it?

But man do I deeply respect Ray Kurzweil's vision and his predictions. FM-2030 is also a hero of mine.

[mathewward]

Have we set the bar to determining AGI too high? The example of music genres not been able to be developed by AGI is asking too much, a single human couldn’t do it and it took many humans a 100+ years, countless failures, the development of new technologies and sounds before we can close to developing new musical styles and genres. We have moved the bar for accepting AGI to that of super-intelligence.

[BrianMosleyUK]

Seriously, this interview has lifted my already sky high regard for the quality of MLST for intelligent AI discussion. Absolutely fascinating. Thank you again 🙏❤️

[pik]

I base my trust in technical authorities in areas I lack expertise in on the size of their neckbeards or eccentric clothing. 10/10, solid heuristic so far.

[BrianMosleyUK]

I think this is the best interview I've seen with Ben, thank you so much for bringing so many ideas out. Wonderful interview.

[jald]

I didn’t know Zarathustra was Ben’s son. I love Zarathustra and learn so much from his reposts. Much love ❤

For some reason, I'm getting more and more restless while waiting for the next episode🥰. Thank you very much, MLST crew, for the great value you're delivering