An AI that runs conscious beings has finite resources. Complex conscious beings consume more of these resources than do simpler conscious beings. Suppose, for purposes of discussion, that a friendly AI would maximize the aggregate utility of the beings it runs by modulating their level of complexity.
The utility-maximizing level of complexity would depend on the natural laws that govern the relation between the complexity of a being and the magnitude of the utility that it can experience.
When you are uploaded to the AI, then, one of three things will happen, depending on the result above:
1. You may wake up to discover that most of your mind, memory, and identity had disappeared, because... (read more)
I imagine that one would post some kind of notice at the entrance to the venue, which would precisely explain the mapping of bracelet colors to the norms of personal interaction that they indicate; the bracelets themselves would then be piled up in baskets beneath that notice.
I think it's important to have explicit norms of permissible behavior for a few reasons:
The juridical function of explicit norms: Explicit norms form a bright line by which to identify malicious actors, such as, for example, an aggressive pickup artist who is willing to harass dozens of women in order to somewhat increase the likelihood that he will take one home with him.
The didactic function of
It might be a good idea to require each person to choose and wear a colored bracelet, such that the color of the bracelet would signal to other parties the level of decorum that they must apply in their relations with its wearer. For example:
A black blacelet indicates that all relations with its wearer must remain scrupulously reserved.
A white bracelet indicates that prior consent must politely be obtained from its wearer before intimate or informal relations are initiated; if this consent is refused, or later revoked, the other party must apologize and desist immediately.
A purple bracelet indicates that its wearer may at all times be presumed to consent to the maximum level of intimacy or informality that is permitted at the gathering.
Obviously, many permutations of and enhancements to this scheme are conceivable.