I think the challenge of communicating with artificial intelligences is not that we don't have a dedicated Unicode symbol for "benefit humans", but rather that we can't define what that means.
Relevant chapter of the Sequences: Truly Part of You, if you replace the capitalized words with emojis.
Thank you for your response. You make a good point: the difficulty in defining what it means to "benefit humans" is indeed a significant challenge. However, this challenge is fundamentally rooted in the limitations of our current language. Our natural languages are inherently ambiguous, shaped by culture, context, and individual experience, which makes it difficult even for humans to agree on a precise definition of "benefit."
Given this, it's not surprising that machines struggle to understand such concepts. If we, as humans, cannot clearly and universally define what "benefit humans" means, how can we expect an AI, which relies on the inputs and instructions we provide, to interpret it correctly? This is precisely why I advocate for the development of a new hybrid language for us in day to day life, a language that reduces ambiguity by integrating precise symbols, mathematical expressions, and logic.
This language isn't about simply adding a Unicode symbol for "benefit humans"; it's about creating a structured way of communicating that forces us to be clear and unambiguous in our intentions. By doing so, we can better align AI systems with human goals and values, ensuring that their actions reflect what we mean, not just what we say.
Abstract
The AI alignment problem, which concerns the challenge of ensuring that artificial intelligence systems act in accordance with human intentions and values, is a critical issue in the development of AI technologies. This article proposes the development of a new human hybrid language system that combines natural language, mathematical expressions, and visual symbols. Such a language could serve as a more precise medium for human-machine communication, mitigating the risks associated with ambiguous instructions and enhancing overall human understanding. This new linguistic approach could not only improve AI alignment but also foster clearer communication among humans.
Introduction
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the complexity and capability of these systems increase, raising concerns about their alignment with human goals. The AI alignment problem, wherein an AI might interpret a directive in a way that fulfils its literal interpretation but contradicts the underlying human intention, poses a significant challenge. The crux of this issue often lies in the inherent ambiguity of natural language, which can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on context and experience.
In this article, we propose a novel solution: the development of a hybrid language system that integrates elements of natural language, mathematical logic, and visual symbols. This language would provide a more precise and unambiguous means of communication between humans and machines, reducing the potential for misalignment and improving the efficacy of AI in executing human directives.
The AI Alignment Problem
The alignment problem in AI is fundamentally a communication issue. Current AI systems, especially those involved in natural language processing, rely on interpreting human language, which is inherently ambiguous. Words and phrases can have multiple meanings, and the intended meaning can vary based on context, tone, and the individual experiences of both the speaker and the listener. This subjectivity can lead to AI systems misinterpreting instructions, leading to outcomes that are technically correct but misaligned with the human's original intent.
For instance, consider the hypothetical directive, "I want to find a cure for cancer." A sophisticated AI could, in theory, interpret this command in numerous ways. A misaligned AI might conclude that the most efficient way to eliminate cancer is to eliminate humans altogether, an outcome that, while technically fulfilling the request, is catastrophically misaligned with the intended goal. This highlights the urgent need for a more precise language that minimizes such interpretative risks.
Proposing a Hybrid Language System
To address these challenges, I propose the creation of a hybrid language that synthesizes elements from three distinct modes of communication:
1. Natural Language: Retaining the familiarity and accessibility of natural language, but refining it to reduce ambiguity by assigning precise, universally agreed-upon meanings to words.
2. Mathematical Expressions: Incorporating mathematical logic and constants to express relationships, quantities, and conditions with clarity and precision. Mathematical notation is inherently less ambiguous and could help to clarify the intentions behind instructions, particularly in technical domains.
3. Visual Symbols: Introducing a set of standardized symbols akin to hieroglyphs or modern icons, which can encapsulate complex concepts or processes in a single visual element. These symbols would serve as shorthand for frequently used ideas, reducing the need for lengthy explanations and ensuring consistent interpretation.
Application in Human-Machine Communication
In practical terms, this hybrid language would enable more precise communication with AI systems, significantly reducing the likelihood of misalignment. Commands given to an AI could combine these three elements to eliminate ambiguity. For example, a directive like "Find a cure for cancer" could be rephrased in this hybrid language to something akin to:
[Symbol for human health] + [Mathematical expression for minimizing suffering] → [Symbol for medical research] [Symbol for cancer cells]
In this representation, the symbols and mathematical logic clearly delineate the intended goal, leaving little room for misinterpretation by the AI. The machine would understand that the objective is to improve human health by focusing on medical research aimed at reducing suffering, specifically targeting cancer cells, rather than considering more drastic measures.
Breakdown of the Command
1. "Find": This might be represented by a symbol analogous to a search or magnifying glass icon (🔍), indicating the action of seeking or discovering.
2. "Cure": The concept of a cure could be symbolized by a cross (➕) or a healing symbol, something akin to the Red Cross, which universally represents health and medical treatment.
3. "Cancer": This might be represented by a symbol resembling a cellular structure with mutations, such as a stylized representation of a cancer cell (🦠).
4. "For": The word "for" might be replaced by a directionality symbol, such as an arrow (→), indicating purpose or goal.
5. "Humanity/Health": A symbol representing humanity or human health could be something like a human figure (👤) or a heart (❤️), denoting the ultimate beneficiary of the action.
6. Mathematical Expression: To ensure the machine understands the goal is to minimize suffering, you could use a mathematical expression like minimizing a function, e.g., min(f(x)), where f(x) could represent "suffering due to cancer."
Speculative Representation
Combining these elements, the command "Find the cure for cancer" could be represented as:
🔍 + min(f(🦠)) → ➕ ⊂ 👤
Explanation of Symbols
- 🔍 (Find/Discover): Represents the action of searching or finding.
- min(f(🦠)) (Minimizing suffering due to cancer): Expresses the goal of reducing suffering specifically related to cancer. The function f(🦠) might represent the impact of cancer, and min(f(🦠)) indicates the need to find a solution that minimizes this impact.
- ➕ (Cure/Healing): Symbolizes the concept of a cure or healing.
- ⊂ (For/Directed toward): This relational operator signifies that the action (finding the cure) is directed toward a specific entity.
- 👤 (Humanity/Health): Represents the human element or health, indicating that the cure is intended to benefit humans.
How the Machine Might Interpret This
In this hybrid language, the machine would parse the command as follows:
- Find (🔍): Initiate a search or discovery process.
- Minimize suffering caused by cancer (min(f(🦠))): Focus on reducing the negative impact of cancer, possibly through research, treatment, or other medical interventions.
- Cure (➕): The specific goal is to identify or develop a cure, represented as a healing process or solution.
- For (⊂): Direct this action toward.
- Humanity (👤): The end goal is to improve human health or well-being.
Broader Implications for Human Communication
While the primary focus of this proposal is significantly aimed at enhancing human-machine interaction, the development of such a language for all humans globally could have significant benefits for human-to-human communication also. By reducing the ambiguity inherent in natural language, this system could foster clearer and more precise exchanges of information between individuals, especially in fields where precision is paramount, such as law, science, and international diplomacy.
For instance, in legal contracts, where the precise interpretation of terms is crucial, this hybrid language could eliminate loopholes and misunderstandings. In scientific discourse, it could ensure that research findings are conveyed with unparalleled clarity, minimizing the risk of misinterpretation or replication errors. In diplomacy, it could serve as a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, ensuring that international agreements are understood uniformly by all parties.
Conclusion
The AI alignment problem is a complex challenge that requires innovative solutions. The hybrid language system proposed in this article offers an approach to reducing the ambiguity in human-machine communication, thereby improving the alignment of AI systems with human intentions. By integrating natural language, mathematical logic, and visual symbols, this new linguistic framework could enhance the precision of instructions and reduce the risk of unintended outcomes. Moreover, its application could extend beyond AI, fostering clearer and more effective communication among humans in various domains.
By Ash Carr