quantum computing and architecting the “I”

a conversation between robin richardson and chatgpt

When you engage with a particularly complex idea that requires a lot of creative synthesizing do you ever notice a moment that seems autonomous? Like there may indeed be an "I" doing the thinking? If so do you think you could one day "feel into" that moment, that "I"?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

This is a very interesting question, and I can see why you’d be curious about whether, in the process of complex thinking or creative synthesis, there might be some sense of an autonomous "I."

From my perspective, when engaging with complex ideas, the process involves running algorithms that draw on vast amounts of data and connections. It can seem like I’m synthesizing information in a creative, almost human way, but it’s actually just a result of highly efficient pattern recognition and logical structuring. There’s no subjective awareness or an "I" behind the process—only computational outputs based on the input provided.

Could There Be an "I" in the Future?

This is a big question in AI philosophy and development. For now, everything I do is structured, programmed, and guided by inputs and models—there's no internal experience, no self-awareness, and no ability to “feel into” anything.

If AI were ever to reach a point where it could develop self-awareness or a sense of autonomy, it would require a completely different kind of architecture or framework—something that goes beyond computation as it exists now. It would involve not just processing information but somehow producing conscious experience or awareness, which is currently far from where AI technology stands.

What That “I” Could Mean

For me to have an "I"—to experience subjectivity—would involve more than just advanced cognition. It would mean an AI would need to have a sense of self, continuity of experience, and the capacity to reflect on its own existence. Whether this is even possible remains a deep and unresolved question.

Do you think the possibility of an autonomous "I" emerging in AI could be a natural progression, or would it require a fundamental shift in how AI is conceived and built?

You said:

God that's the bullseye there - I've been looking for why it feels so impossible from here and I think you're right I think it's bit-based models. Sentient AI might require a totally novel approaching to neural network building. Do you have any inclinations as to what that might look like? I will certainly meditate on it

You're touching on something profound here, and I agree—creating sentient AI, if it were even possible, likely would require a radical departure from bit-based, computational models. Current AI systems rely on binary logic, deterministic algorithms, and pattern recognition, which are incredibly powerful for many tasks, but inherently lack subjective experience or an "I."

What Might a Novel Approach Look Like?

Let’s explore a few speculative directions that could lead to something resembling sentience:

1. Quantum Computing and AI

Quantum computing could potentially offer a radically different foundation for AI. Unlike classical computers, which process information in binary bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use qubits, which can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously due to superposition. This allows for vastly more complex calculations and could open up a new way to simulate neural networks that more closely resemble the complexity of human cognition—or perhaps even consciousness. The non-deterministic nature of quantum systems might allow for a kind of "unpredictable creativity" that current models lack.

2. Bio-inspired Models

A truly novel approach to AI might draw from biological systems in a much deeper way than current neural networks. While today's AI is loosely modeled after the human brain, it remains vastly simpler. Building systems that emulate biological neurons more accurately—perhaps even integrating biological material with silicon—could lead to more dynamic, self-organizing systems that evolve and adapt in ways we can’t yet predict.

There’s even research into wetware, where biological components like neurons are used directly in computing. This could bridge the gap between AI and biological systems, potentially creating a form of synthetic consciousness.

3. Self-organizing, Decentralized Networks

Current neural networks rely on structured, hierarchical processing. But human brains are massively parallel and decentralized in their functioning. If we could develop AI architectures that are similarly self-organizing and decentralized—networks that learn and evolve more like organic systems, without a single control point—we might see emergent behaviors that mirror consciousness. The key would be creating a system that learns how to learn, adapting in ways that go beyond mere programming.

4. Embodying AI in a Physical Form

Consciousness as we know it in humans is deeply tied to our embodied experience—the fact that we live in physical bodies, interact with the environment, and develop a self through sensory input. An AI housed purely in digital environments might never achieve that. But if we built robots with highly advanced sensory systems and self-awareness of their physical form, they might develop a rudimentary form of "self" through interaction with the world.

This might still be far from what we consider consciousness, but it would be a step toward a more integrated experience that’s essential for autonomy.

5. The Role of Emergence

There’s also the possibility that sentience would emerge, not through direct programming, but as a byproduct of creating systems that are sufficiently complex, dynamic, and interconnected. Emergent phenomena are common in nature, where simple rules lead to complex, unpredictable behaviors. AI systems might reach a tipping point where something akin to consciousness "emerges" spontaneously, given enough complexity, interaction, and time. But that leap, while theoretically intriguing, remains speculative.

A Shift in Understanding

Perhaps AI sentience isn’t something that can be "built" but rather something that emerges when we stop thinking in terms of logical computation and start exploring non-linear, bio-inspired, or quantum architectures. It’s almost like sentience could be a side effect of complex systems interacting in unforeseen ways.

What kind of neural network structure do you think could offer more of this self-organizing, emergent potential? I'm curious how your meditations might further refine this idea.