Why we should fear the Paperclipper [Link]

XiXiDu

The Scenario

A programmer has constructed an artificial intelligence based on an architecture similar to Marcus Hutter's AIXI model (see below for a few details). This AI will maximize the reward given by a utility function the programmer has given it. Just as a test, he connects it to a 3D printer and sets the utility function to give reward proportional to the number of manufactured paper-clips.

At first nothing seems to happen: the AI zooms through various possibilities. It notices that smarter systems generally can make more paper-clips, so making itself smarter will likely increase the number of paper-clips that will eventually be made. It does so. It considers how it can make paper-clips using the 3D printer, estimating the number of possible paper-clips. It notes that if it could get more raw materials it could make more paper-clips. It hence figures out a plan to manufacture devices that will make it much smarter, prevent interference with its plan, and will turn all of Earth (and later the universe) into paper-clips. It does so.

Only paper-clips remain.

Link: aleph.se/andart/archives/2011/02/why_we_should_fear_the_paperclipper.html

The Scenario

A programmer has constructed an artificial intelligence based on an architecture similar to Marcus Hutter's AIXI model (see below for a few details). This AI will maximize the reward given by a utility function the programmer has given it. Just as a test, he connects it to a 3D printer and sets the utility function to give reward proportional to the number of manufactured paper-clips.

At first nothing seems to happen: the AI zooms through various possibilities. It notices that smarter systems generally can make more paper-clips, so making itself smarter will likely increase the number of paper-clips that will eventually be made. It does so. It considers how it can make paper-clips using the 3D printer, estimating the number of possible paper-clips. It notes that if it could get more raw materials it could make more paper-clips. It hence figures out a plan to manufacture devices that will make it much smarter, prevent interference with its plan, and will turn all of Earth (and later the universe) into paper-clips. It does so.

Only paper-clips remain.

Link: aleph.se/andart/archives/2011/02/why_we_should_fear_the_paperclipper.html

Another problem is this seems to be a "1-guy" intelligence explosion.

In the real world, a international corporation with a team of workers, funding - and some basic quality control - is much more likely to get there first.

The reason the example doesn't include that is because it is easy to imagine a lone programmer doing something crazy - but harder if there are committees, funding panels, and a research team involved.

The reason the example doesn't include that is because it is easy to imagine a lone programmer doing something crazy - but harder if there are committees, funding panels, and a research team involved.

Perhaps, so long as you haven't encountered many committees, funding panels and financially motivated research teams. ;)

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Why we should fear the Paperclipper [Link]

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The Scenario

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Why we should fear the Paperclipper [Link]

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The Scenario

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