AGI and Human Motivations
For example, how is the “need for achievement” implemented in the brain?
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) has at least two components: problem solving, and understanding human motivations and intentions (theory of mind). Let’s focus on the second one… ChatGPT, what are some basic human needs and motivations?
OK, let’s pick one. How is the “need for achievement” implemented in the brain?
So the “need for achievement” is implemented by a network of brain regions. Let’s go through each one… how does the striatum contribute to “need for achievement”?
What are some examples of “rewards” associated with “need for achievement”?
How does the brain detect, for example, “recognition from others” and use this as a reward for achievement-seeking behavior?
So the “social brain network” processes social feedback — compliments, recognition, and high fives — and passes this along as a reward function for achievement? How does this work?
You mentioned the amygdala earlier. How does the amygdala detect the “emotional significance of social feedback” in the form of praise, recognition, kudos, and compliments?
Interesting. You also mentioned the prefrontal cortex. How does it contribute to evaluating social feedback?
Does the prefrontal cortex also contribute to the planning, decision-making, and goal-directed behavior needed to fulfill the “need for achievement”?
So the “need for achievement” is reinforced by “expectation of social reward”? Can you summarize the brain regions involved again?
How are mental concepts represented and shared across these brain regions?
A Nobel Prize awaits the scientist who figures that one out! Personally, I think some sort of semantic vectors are being passed around that can somehow map (encode/decode) to our innate motivational categories. Do you think the “need for achievement” is innate?
I’m not sure why “learned” is the opposite of “innate.” If the brain is designed to learn in specific ways — i.e., learn how to detect “social approval” in today’s culture, and, if detected, pass this reward signal along to the prefrontal cortex— that’s still innate, isn’t it? It’s the same with processing “cultural values”…
Exactly! OK, I think I understand my brain much better now. Thanks for your processing time!
