Link to previous discussions?
It seems that many questions could be answered using only computing power (or computing power and network access to more-or-less static resources), and this doesn't seem like a difficult limitation to put into place. We're already assuming a system that understands English at an extremely high level. I'm convinced that ethics is hard for machines because it's hard for humans too. But I don't see why, given an AI worthy of the name, following instructions is hard, especially given the additional instructions, "be conservative and don't break the law".
The Future of Humanity Institute wants to pick the brains of the less wrongers :-)
Do you have suggestions for safe questions to ask an Oracle? Interpret the question as narrowly or broadly as you want; new or unusual ideas especially welcome.