ChatGPT Made Me Believe in Zombies
Understanding the AI-Zombie Paradox”
Halloween is coming, and maybe it’s a good time to talk about zombies. Not the ones the kids might dress up as when they come to your door for candy, but the philosophical zombie that has been the subject of thought experiments led by philosophers like David Chalmers. These “philosophical zombies” are entities that appear conscious but lack subjective experience.
The Zombie in the Machine
I always thought that if computers ever got to the point where they could relate to us in a human-like manner, they would be conscious. At first glance, ChatGPT might seem indistinguishable from a well-informed human conversationalist. It answers questions, generates narratives, and even cracks jokes. But here’s the catch: ChatGPT doesn’t truly understand, feel, or experience anything. It has no consciousness or subjective reality. It’s the very definition of a philosophical zombie.
From Code to Consciousness
The impulse is to assume that consciousness comes with intelligence, but think about the majority of our bodily functions: digestion, healing, balance — they’re intelligent and function perfectly well, but aren’t conscious. It’s clear that something can be highly intelligent yet lack any form of subjective experience. The concept of philosophical zombies brings this idea to the forefront, challenging our traditional notions.
Survival Without Consciousness
From an evolutionary perspective, survival has always been the primary objective. Organisms have developed countless ways to ensure their survival, from the simplest single-celled organisms to the most complex mammals. But is consciousness necessary?
Consider the multitude of automated processes that occur within our bodies: our heart beating, our lungs breathing, and our cells regenerating, the incredible intelligence of our immune system. These processes are crucial for our survival, yet they function independently without conscious awareness. Similarly, many lower organisms navigate their environments, seek food, and reproduce without what we would term “conscious thought.”
Intelligence Without Subjective Experience
So, it’s legitimate to ask: Is consciousness necessary for survival? Does intelligence necessitate consciousness? The rise of advanced artificial intelligence, epitomized by systems like ChatGPT, suggests that it’s possible for entities to exhibit intelligent behavior without possessing subjective experience. Recent developments suggest that ChatGPT can even help robots navigate in the physical world.
The Future of Intelligent Machines
As we move towards a future where AGI might become a reality, the philosophical zombie question becomes even more relevant. If we can create machines that mimic human behavior and intelligence so closely, does that challenge our very understanding of consciousness? Or does it reaffirm the unique nature of subjective experience?
Tech companies announce new billions of dollars in investments in AI every week, so there’s every reason to assume that the race to AGI will continue. Many people predict that it may arrive in as few as five years. we need to be prepared.
Final Thoughts
The existence of philosophical zombies, whether in thought experiments or embodied in a robot, forces us to confront and reevaluate our beliefs. As technology continues to advance, the line between conscious beings and intelligent ones may blur. Can a being without subjective experience offer meaningful insights? How do we relate to them?
ChatGPT brings the issue from the philosophical to the practical. If the distinction between conscious and unconscious isn’t so clear-cut, how will we relate to these machines in our lives? Do we grant them rights if they seem intelligent but may lack an inner life?
My interaction with ChatGPT opened up an age-old philosophical quandary. I found a challenge to my understanding of consciousness. But at least for now, I believe that on this Halloween there may be zombies among us.
