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A warning about 'model welfare'

242 points · 701 comments · andsoitis

  1. moomin · · focus · HN ↗
    Look, I do not have a scooby if current AI models are conscious and I strongly suspect it’s a meaningless question, but sooner or later we will need to address whether or not a certain thing is or isn’t a person, and we’d better not screw it up as badly as the Founding Fathers.
    1. OedipusRex · · focus · HN ↗
      Citizens United proves we won't do any better this time around.
      1. orangecat · · focus · HN ↗
        Citizens United was 100% correct. No, the government should not be able to throw you in prison because you used money to publish a book criticizing the government.
        1. InsideOutSanta · · focus · HN ↗
          > Citizens United was 100% correct

          It's interesting to me that one can look back at the effects that decision has had on the US and say it "was 100% correct."

          It's a bit like sitting in the burning ruins of Rome and contemplating that Nero was 100% correct to focus on his music. I mean, I'm glad he got to do what he loves, but maybe 100% is just a tiny bit of an overstatement.

          1. ToValueFunfetti · · focus · HN ↗
            It's more like if the law says the maximum sentence for theft is 10 years, a thief appeals his 20 year sentence, wins, and gets out early. He goes and robs somebody else so you say the court was wrong to let him win.

            The court's job is to uphold the law. If you disagree with their interpretation, you can call them incorrect. If you have a problem with the consequences of the law, you have a problem with the legislature.

            1. InsideOutSanta · · focus · HN ↗
              In reality, courts interpret and make the law.
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