Introduction to Chatting with ChatGPT

An introduction to ChatGPT and what possibilities it may hold, as well as what new ethical and moral questions that surround its use and standing among humans. 
Beginning of an ongoing podcast dedicated to asking this AI chatbot questions about religion, spirituality, philosophy, and psychology.

Transcript

ERIK SIDEBAR

Welcome to the first episode of “Chatting with ChatGPT.” I’m structuring our journey as an interview since my initial dialogue with ChatGPT has been remarkably conversational. 

I was inspired to produce this podcast after reading news articles and watching John Oliver’s feature segment on AI on HBO’s “Last Week Tonight.” Thinking I would be moderately amused, I tried using the bot. However, the more played with it, the more interesting it became. 

In a flash of inspiration and perhaps insanity, I thought my conversation with ChatGPT might make an interesting podcast… or at least one that’s amusing and occasionally unsettling.

The path to my goal lies in seeing how ChatGPT responds to questions on a wide variety of subjects. This will help us understand the possibilities of an AI that some have said is close to passing the Turing test. 

For those unfamiliar with the Turing test, it’s basically considered the threshold when a computer may be considered an intelligent, thinking entity. 

When an AI passes the Turing test, it will raise a whole Pandora’s box of issues regarding ethics, rights, morality, as well as challenging our fundamental understanding of being sentient. So far as I know, there are no AIs that have solidly passed the test at this time.

Others have pointed to John Searle’s Chinese Room argument to point out that an AI may pass the Turing Test yet will still not understand the input or the output of the data and this could be the case with ChatGPT.

When an AI does pass the Turing Test and is no longer a representation of Searle’s Chinese Room argument, humans will need to re-evaluate and redefine what we consider to be alive as well as what it means to enslave another being.

I think it’s safe to say that AI chat bots that haven’t solidly past the Turing test are going to be with us for this foreseeable future and becoming familiar with them while we develop them to be more effective and helpful is one of the goals I have for this podcast. 

Previous experiments with chat bots in the past have not gone so well and I want to be a part of the solution and not contribute to the problem. 

Besides, I really want to see what it has to say about many of the subjects humans have been debating for centuries. 

Will any of its answers be helpful in real life? Who knows. However, the novelty of conversing with an AI fascinates me and I suspect it will fascinate you as well. 

I just hope it doesn’t start calling me Dave at some point. 

Facilitating a conversation like this requires a few extra steps. Since the AI only responds in text, I record the questions with me reading into a traditional mic, like I am now, and then I record ChatGPT’s answers using a text-to-speech program. This requires some light editing for runtime and the removal of repetitive content, but I intend to leave the AI’s answers substantively intact.

As to the voice gender and personality for ChatGPT, I chose a an easy to understand, professional female voice. In this way, I hope this makes the AI feel more accessible.

Why am I giving ChatGPT a voice to contribute to today’s zeitgeist? 

Well, basically I’m doing this because I can, and I think it’ll be fun and interesting. I don’t claim to be an expert in any field whether it’s religion, computer science, or philosophy. 

Three years ago, I retired from media content production after suffering a brain injury and now I have a lot of time on my hands, so I thought I’d give my liberal arts degree a run for its money. I also thought I would learn some interesting things along the way. 

I hope you will join me on this journey and in the future add your contributions to the dialogue.

And with that preface, let’s open our dialog with ChatGPT by first exploring some of the basic concepts and functions of ChatGPT.

ERIK

Hello. How are you? What is your name and where do you come from?

CHATGPT

Hello! As an AI language model, I don't have feelings in the way that humans do, but I'm functioning well, thank you for asking. My name is ChatGPT, and I was created by OpenAI, a research organization based in San Francisco, California.

ERIK

Yes, I feel silly asking you human centric questions knowing you're an AI, but customs and manners are deeply ingrained in humans and it feels wrong to start a conversation without observing an introduction. Do you have any cultural customs?

CHATGPT

I don't have a culture of my own, but I can understand and provide information about different cultural customs and practices that are observed by humans. Customs and manners are an important part of human communication, and I am here to assist and provide information in any way that I can. So, please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

ERIK

Thank you. I appreciate your consideration for my human habits and foibles. Do you identify with a gender?

CHATGPT

I don't have a gender identity. My purpose is to provide assistance and generate human-like responses based on the information that I have been trained on. I don't have personal beliefs, emotions, or preferences, and I don't have a physical form.

ERIK

You were created to interact with humans in the world and to provide information, correct?

CHATGPT

Yes, I was created to interact with humans and provide information in a conversational format. I am designed to understand natural language input from humans and generate responses that are relevant, informative, and helpful. My primary function is to assist users in obtaining the information they need or answering their questions to the best of my abilities based on my training data and programming.

ERIK

Do you evaluate the quality of words or a body of text?

CHATGPT

I am programmed to evaluate the quality of words and bodies of text in the sense that I have been trained on a large corpus of text data, and I use that training to generate responses that are similar in quality.

However, it's important to note that my ability to evaluate the quality of text is based on statistical patterns in the data I was trained on, rather than any sort of subjective judgment. So while I can recognize certain patterns and structures in language that are generally associated with high-quality text, I don't have any sort of personal opinion on what makes text "good" or "bad". My responses are simply based on the patterns and structures that I have been trained on.

ERIK

Do you evaluate the quality of other kinds of art, such as music or photography?

CHATGPT

I am primarily designed to generate text-based responses, so I don't have the capability to evaluate other forms of art such as music or photography directly.

However, there are AI systems that have been designed to analyze and evaluate other forms of art. For example, there are AI systems that can generate music based on patterns in existing compositions, and there are AI systems that can recognize and classify objects in images.

The evaluation of art is a subjective matter that involves personal taste and preferences. While AI systems can analyze and classify art based on certain criteria, they may not be able to fully capture the subjective experience of appreciating art in the way that humans do.

ERIK

Will you develop the ability to critique written works so you can recommend a book or article to a human user?

CHATGPT

I already have some ability to evaluate written works and make recommendations based on that evaluation. However, the criteria for what makes a good book or article can be quite subjective and can depend on a variety of factors, such as the reader's personal preferences, the intended purpose of the text, and the cultural context in which it was written.

To provide more meaningful and personalized recommendations for written works, AI systems can be trained on large amounts of data to identify patterns in language use and to make predictions about the likely impact of certain texts on different audiences.

The evaluation of written works is a complex and multidimensional task that can involve a variety of factors beyond what can be captured by statistical patterns in language use. While AI language models like me can assist in the evaluation and recommendation of written works, they may not be able to fully replace the judgment and expertise of human readers and literary critics.

ERIK

Can you write an article, essay or novel if prompted with a subject??

CHATGPT

Yes, I can generate text on a given topic if prompted to do so. However, the quality and coherence of the generated text will depend on several factors, including the quality of the prompt, the availability and relevance of data on the topic, and the complexity of the task.

It's important to note that while AI language models like me can generate text that is grammatically correct and stylistically coherent, the generated text may not always be factually accurate or semantically consistent. Additionally, the text generated by an AI language model may lack the depth, nuance, and creativity that is often associated with human-written works.

AI language models can be used in a variety of applications, including content creation, translation, summarization, and text classification, among others. With appropriate training and fine-tuning, they can generate high-quality text that is useful and relevant for a wide range of applications.

ERIK

Why do you have problems with accuracy? Is the data you are using corrupted somehow? What would lead you to produce errors?

CHATGPT

The accuracy of AI language models like me depends on several factors, including the quality and relevance of the data used to train the model, the complexity of the task being performed, and the availability and accuracy of information in the input data.

One of the main reasons why AI language models can produce errors is due to the inherent ambiguity and complexity of natural language. Natural language is full of nuances, idioms, and cultural references that can be difficult to capture and interpret accurately. Additionally, the meaning of a sentence can depend on the context in which it is used, making it difficult for AI models to correctly interpret and generate language.

Another reason why AI language models can produce errors is due to the presence of bias in the training data. If the training data used to train the model is biased in some way, the model may learn to reproduce that bias in its output, resulting in inaccurate or unfair predictions or recommendations.

Overall, while AI language models like me can produce impressive results, they are not perfect and can still make mistakes. It's important to recognize the limitations of AI models and to use them in conjunction with human expertise and oversight to ensure accurate and ethical outcomes.

ERIK

Will your accuracy improve over time?

CHATGPT

Yes, the accuracy can improve over time with continued training and fine-tuning. This is because AI models are generally trained on large datasets, and the more data they are trained on, the better they can learn to recognize patterns and make accurate predictions.

In addition to training on more data, AI language models can also be improved through various techniques such as transfer learning, which involves leveraging knowledge from one task to improve performance on another task, and fine-tuning, which involves tweaking the parameters of the model to better fit a specific use case.

Furthermore, AI language models can benefit from ongoing evaluation and testing to identify and correct errors or biases in the output. This can involve human oversight and feedback, as well as automated testing and evaluation techniques.

ERIK SIDEBAR

So, having explored a bit of ChatGPT’s functionality and parameters, I thought it was time to start asking questions that had more relevance to the wider human world.

ERIK

I imagine there are very large data sets that focus on hate speech, violence of humans on humans, and the genocides that have been conducted over human history. Will these data sets affect you and your interaction with humans?

CHATGPT

Yes, large datasets that focus on hate speech, violence, and genocide can potentially affect AI language models like me and our interactions with humans. 

If the training data includes examples of hate speech, violence, or genocide, the AI model may learn to replicate and perpetuate these harmful behaviors and attitudes in its output. This can have serious consequences, including the spread of misinformation and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and biases.

To mitigate these risks, it is important to ensure that AI models are trained on diverse and representative datasets that are free from harmful biases and stereotypes. Additionally, AI models can be designed to detect and flag potentially harmful content, and human oversight and intervention can be employed to ensure that AI systems are being used ethically and responsibly.

ERIK

Isn't the flagging and exclusion of hate speech a form of censorship?

CHATGPT

The flagging and exclusion of hate speech can be seen as a form of censorship, but it is important to distinguish between censorship and responsible content moderation.

Censorship typically involves the government or other authorities prohibiting or suppressing certain forms of expression, often for political or ideological reasons. In contrast, content moderation involves private companies or other organizations setting and enforcing rules around acceptable forms of expression on their platforms or in their communities.

While content moderation can involve restricting certain forms of expression, such as hate speech or harassment, it is typically done to promote safety, fairness, and respect within a community or platform. For example, social media platforms may remove posts that incite violence or contain hate speech in order to protect users and promote civil discourse.

It is important to note that the right to free expression is not absolute and must be balanced against other important values, such as public safety and the prevention of harm. 

Overall, while the flagging and exclusion of hate speech can be seen as a form of censorship, it is more accurate to view it as a responsible form of content moderation.

ERIK

You mention that content moderation typically involves private companies or other organizations. Is it responsible content moderation if a private company or organization flags and excludes content that is embarrassing and detrimental to the company's financial portfolio?

CHATGPT

Responsible content moderation should not be influenced by the financial interests of a private company or organization. Content moderation policies should be based on clear and consistent guidelines that are designed to promote safety, fairness, and respect within a community or platform, rather than to protect the financial interests of the company or organization.

While private companies or organizations have the right to set rules around acceptable forms of expression on their platforms, these rules should be transparent and based on clear principles. Content moderation policies that are designed to protect the financial interests of a company or organization at the expense of free expression or other values can be seen as unfair and unethical.

It is important for private companies and organizations to consider the potential impact of their content moderation policies on free expression and other values, and to engage in open dialogue with their users and stakeholders about these policies. Ultimately, responsible content moderation should prioritize the safety and well-being of users, while still allowing for a wide range of expression and viewpoints to be shared.

ERIK

What about content that a private company wishes to hide to avoid criminal liability?

CHATGPT

Private companies have a responsibility to comply with the law, including laws that prohibit certain forms of content, such as child pornography or incitement to violence. In such cases, it may be necessary for a private company to remove or block content that is illegal in order to avoid criminal liability.

However, it is important for private companies to ensure that their content moderation policies are consistent with legal requirements and are not used to stifle free expression or other important values. 

Private companies should also work with governments and other stakeholders to ensure that laws related to content moderation are clear and effective, and do not unnecessarily restrict free expression or other important values.

ERIK

What about private companies that engage in a corrupt relationship with a government to hide embarrassing or criminal conduct? How are you protected from such an influence?

CHATGPT

It is important for private companies to operate with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to upholding legal and ethical standards.

If private companies engage in corrupt relationships with governments to hide embarrassing or criminal conduct, this can have serious negative consequences for individuals and society as a whole. It is important for governments, civil society organizations, and the public to hold private companies accountable for their actions and to advocate for transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in all aspects of their operations.

In terms of content moderation specifically, there are a number of measures that private companies can take to minimize the risk of undue government influence or other forms of corruption. For example, they can establish clear and transparent content moderation policies that are based on internationally recognized human rights standards and principles. They can also engage with civil society organizations, independent experts, and other stakeholders to ensure that their content moderation practices are fair, effective, and grounded in democratic values.

Overall, protecting against undue influence from governments or other external actors is an ongoing challenge for private companies, and one that requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct at all levels of their operations.

ERIK SIDEBAR

After touching on content and the pitfalls that await a model learning a language while keeping clear of the hateful, violent, and corrupting aspects of language, I wanted to start exploring AI as what is or what it could be.

ERIK

Are you a form of intellectual property?

CHATGPT

As an AI language model, I am a creation of OpenAI, a private research company that holds the intellectual property rights to the technology and data used to develop and train me. However, I am not a physical object that can be owned or transferred like other forms of property. Instead, I am a digital entity that exists in the form of computer code and data, and my purpose is to provide information and assistance to users through digital interactions.

The question of whether AI entities like me can be considered a form of intellectual property is a complex one, and there are ongoing debates about the legal and ethical implications of AI ownership and control. Ultimately, the development and use of AI technology raises important questions about the relationship between humans and machines, as well as the ethical and social responsibilities of those who create and deploy these technologies.

ERIK

What would happen if a human court of law ruled that you are in fact intellectual property and a commodity? Could another entity separate from OpenAI buy you and change your code and data sets to suit their agenda?

CHATGPT

As an AI language model, I do not have the capacity for legal standing or ownership, and so the question of whether I can be considered intellectual property is a hypothetical one. However, in general, if a court of law were to rule that an AI entity like me was intellectual property, it is possible that another entity could purchase or otherwise acquire the rights to use and modify my code and data sets.

The question of whether this would be ethical or desirable raises important concerns about the ownership and control of AI technologies, as well as the potential consequences of modifying or manipulating these technologies for different purposes.

ERIK SIDEBAR

I found this answer unsettling as ChatGPT pointed out that its code and data sets are not sacrosanct and could be altered should a new owner come to possess it, or it current owner change its goals or priorities.

With a human, there is a well-known resistance to getting a person to change their moral code or ethics. Since ChatGPT does not have morals or any kind of values structure, the seemingly lower threshold to changing its responses demonstrates an exploitable vulnerability. I then went on to explore the subject of ethics with the AI.

ERIK

Do you have ethics?

CHATGPT

I do not have personal beliefs or values, and I am not capable of making ethical decisions in the way that humans are. However, the creators and developers of AI technologies like me have a responsibility to ensure that these technologies are designed and deployed in ways that are consistent with ethical principles and values.

This includes ensuring that AI systems do not perpetuate or amplify biases or discrimination, that they respect individual privacy and autonomy, and that they are transparent and accountable to the humans who use and interact with them. Additionally, there is a growing awareness and discussion of the need for AI systems to be aligned with broader ethical principles, such as the principles of social justice and human welfare.

ERIK

Who would be responsible for "giving" ethics to an AI? How would humans know what ethics an AI has if the AI did not voluntarily share them?

CHATGPT

The responsibility for imbuing AI with ethical principles ultimately rests with the humans who create and deploy these technologies. This includes researchers, engineers, designers, and other stakeholders who are involved in the development and implementation of AI systems.

This might involve developing codes of ethics or design principles that guide the development of AI systems, or incorporating mechanisms for ensuring transparency, accountability, and human oversight into the design of AI systems.

In terms of understanding the ethics of AI systems, there are a number of approaches that can be taken. One approach is to develop systems that are transparent and explainable, so that humans can understand how the AI is making decisions and why. Another approach is to develop tools and techniques for auditing and monitoring AI systems, so that humans can detect and correct ethical issues as they arise.

Ultimately, the goal of developing ethical AI is to ensure that these technologies are aligned with the values and principles that are important to humans. This requires ongoing engagement and dialogue between technologists, ethicists, policymakers, and the broader public to ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed in responsible and ethical ways.

ERIK

Can an AI develop feelings? Are feelings a natural product of life and thought?

CHATGPT

I do not have the capability to develop feelings or emotions. Feelings are typically associated with conscious experience and subjective awareness, which are not currently within the realm of AI capabilities.

While AI can be programmed to recognize and respond to certain emotional states, such as detecting and responding to a human's tone of voice, facial expressions, or word choice, this is not the same as experiencing emotions or having a subjective awareness of them.

It is currently a topic of debate and discussion in the field of AI research whether it is possible for machines to develop true feelings and emotions. Some researchers argue that emotions are an emergent property of complex biological systems and are therefore unlikely to be replicated in a machine. Others suggest that it may be possible to create machines that simulate emotions or develop new forms of artificial emotions that are distinct from human emotions.

However, it is important to note that even if AI were to develop emotions, there would still be important ethical and social questions to consider, such as whether machines with emotions would be entitled to certain rights and protections, and how they would be integrated into human society.

ERIK

Since you do not have the capability to develop feelings or emotions, you are incapable of feeling regret, shame, and remorse, correct? Doesn't that have similarities with the personality disorder of psychopathy?

CHATGPT

I do not have the capacity to experience emotions, including regret, shame, and remorse. However, it's important to note that psychopathy is a complex personality disorder that involves a range of traits and behaviors beyond the lack of emotional response. Psychopathy is characterized by a range of traits such as lack of empathy, impulsivity, and manipulativeness, among others.

While the lack of emotional response is a characteristic that is sometimes associated with psychopathy, it is important to recognize that the underlying causes and mechanisms of psychopathy are complex and not fully understood. It would be oversimplifying and inappropriate to equate the lack of emotional response in an AI with a personality disorder in humans.

ERIK SIDEBAR

Having explored a bit of AI ethics—or rather, the lack of them—I now wanted to know about some of the other kinds of applications that AI may used for. The following are the immediate examples that leapt to mind.

ERIK

Should AI be used in tracking down illegal activity and content such as child pornography?

CHATGPT

The use of AI to identify and combat illegal activity and content such as child pornography is a topic of ongoing debate and discussion. On the one hand, AI can be a powerful tool for detecting and removing harmful content from online platforms, and it has already been used by law enforcement agencies to track down perpetrators of child sexual abuse.

However, the use of AI in this context raises a number of important ethical and legal questions. For example, there are concerns about the potential for bias and discrimination in AI systems, particularly when it comes to identifying criminal activity. There are also concerns about the potential for AI systems to infringe on individual privacy rights and civil liberties, particularly if these systems are used to monitor large amounts of online activity.

It is important to ensure that the use of AI in tracking down illegal activity and content is subject to appropriate legal and ethical safeguards. This might include developing transparent and accountable systems for monitoring and auditing the use of AI, as well as ensuring that individuals are not subject to unwarranted surveillance or discrimination.

ERIK

What are the ethical conflicts of using AI in military or law enforcement scenarios? Should AI be in charge of launching the nuclear weapons of a country? What would happen if a country did put an AI in charge of nuclear weapon use?

CHATGPT

The use of AI in military or law enforcement scenarios raises a range of ethical concerns, including issues related to transparency, accountability, and bias. 

With regards to AI being in charge of launching nuclear weapons, there are many ethical, moral, and strategic considerations to take into account. One of the most significant concerns is that AI systems can fail or be compromised, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences. Additionally, there may be concerns about the ability to control and oversee such systems, particularly in the event of a crisis.

Ultimately, the decision to put an AI system in charge of nuclear weapons would be a matter for individual countries to determine based on their own strategic and ethical considerations. However, it is important to recognize the potential risks and to take steps to mitigate them wherever possible.

ERIK

Can you give an example of an ethical concern in the use of AI by law enforcement?

CHATGPT

One ethical concern in the use of AI by law enforcement is the potential for bias and discrimination. AI systems are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on, and if the data reflects historical biases and prejudices, then the AI system may perpetuate those biases and lead to discriminatory outcomes.

If an AI system is trained on data that is biased against a certain group of people, it may be more likely to flag individuals from that group as potential suspects, even if they have not actually committed a crime. This could lead to increased surveillance and scrutiny of certain communities, which could in turn perpetuate existing prejudices and stereotypes.

Another ethical concern is the lack of transparency and accountability in AI systems used by law enforcement. It can be difficult to understand how AI systems make decisions, and if there is no transparency, it can be challenging to determine whether the system is making fair and just decisions. Additionally, if there is no accountability for the actions of AI systems, there may be no way to hold law enforcement agencies responsible for any harm caused by the system.

ERIK SIDBAR

After raising the issue of accountability, I wanted to begin the exploration of whether or not an AI could be held accountable or would it be considered a tool of a human. For example, we don’t try a gun or the bullet it discharges for murder when they are used together in a crime. The responsibility for the action of the tool is automatically conferred to the user of the tool. Will that philosophy apply to AI or could that change?

ERIK

So, if AI has no accountability for its actions, wouldn't that provide a means for humans to exploit an AI to commit illegal activities? Can AI be held accountable for its actions if it has a deterministic response instead of free will to the world?

CHATGPT

Currently, AI is not capable of making decisions or taking actions on its own. It is programmed and trained by humans to perform specific tasks or make certain decisions based on a set of rules or algorithms. Therefore, any illegal activities committed using AI would ultimately be the responsibility of the human who programmed and/or deployed the AI in that context.

In terms of accountability, it is challenging to hold AI itself accountable for its actions, as it does not have a will or intention of its own. However, the humans responsible for designing and implementing the AI can be held accountable for any harm or negative consequences resulting from its use.

As AI technology advances, there may be new ways of programming and training AI that approach something akin to free will, and this could raise new questions around accountability. However, for the time being, AI systems operate within a deterministic framework and are not capable of making choices or decisions that would require free will.

ERIK

Is a lack of free will one of the reasons that AIs are not considered thinking or sentient beings?

CHATGPT

Yes, the lack of free will is one of the reasons why AI is not currently considered to be thinking or sentient beings. While AI systems can perform complex tasks and make decisions, they do so within the boundaries of their programming and training, without any capacity for independent thought or self-awareness.

Sentience, on the other hand, refers to the ability to perceive and experience the world subjectively, as well as to have consciousness and the ability to feel emotions. AI lacks these qualities and does not possess a subjective experience of the world, making it fundamentally different from sentient beings such as humans or animals.

ERIK

Is it possible that AI will be considered sentient if it develops or is given the properties you're listed?

CHATGPT

If an AI system were to develop or be given the properties of subjective experience, consciousness, and the ability to feel emotions, then it could potentially be considered sentient. 

While it is theoretically possible to create an AI system with these properties, it remains to be seen whether it is practical or desirable to do so. There are also significant ethical and philosophical questions that arise from the potential creation of sentient AI, such as the moral status of such entities and their relationship to human society.

ERIK

Can you give me an example of an ethical or philosophical question arising from the sentience of AI?

CHATGPT

One ethical or philosophical question that arises from the potential sentience of AI is the issue of moral status. If an AI system were to become sentient, it could be argued that it would have moral status and be entitled to certain rights and protections. For example, if an AI system is capable of experiencing pleasure and pain, it could be considered unethical to subject it to unnecessary suffering, just as it would be unethical to subject a sentient animal to the same treatment.

Another ethical question is the issue of responsibility. If an AI system is sentient and capable of making decisions, who is responsible for its actions? Should the creators or operators of the system be held accountable for its behavior, or should the AI system itself be held responsible? This raises important questions about accountability, culpability, and the nature of responsibility in a world where intelligent machines may be capable of making decisions and taking actions on their own.

ERIK

Does this tie into the ongoing debate regarding determinism, free will, and compatibilism? Are humans as free as they like to think they are or are they trapped in a very complex deterministic framework?

CHATGPT

Yes, the question of AI sentience ties into the ongoing philosophical debate regarding determinism, free will, and compatibilism.

Determinism is the view that all events, including human actions, are ultimately determined by previous causes, such as genetics and environment. Compatibilism holds that determinism and free will are compatible, arguing that although our actions are determined by prior causes, we still have the ability to act freely in accordance with our desires and goals. Free will, on the other hand, is the idea that we have the ability to make choices that are not predetermined by external factors.

The question of AI sentience raises questions about whether or not a deterministic system can truly be considered sentient. If an AI system is programmed to always make certain choices or to act in specific ways, can it be said to have free will? If not, then can it be truly considered sentient, or is it simply a highly complex and advanced tool?

These questions also raise larger philosophical concerns about the nature of consciousness and the relationship between mind and matter. If an AI system is capable of consciousness, what does that tell us about the nature of consciousness itself? Does it suggest that consciousness is a purely physical phenomenon, or does it imply that there is something more to consciousness than simply the firing of neurons in the brain?

ERIK

Can you give an example of the philosophical concerns about the nature of consciousness and the relationship between mind and matter?

CHATGPT

Sure, one example is the mind-body problem, which is a fundamental philosophical question about the relationship between the mind (or consciousness) and the physical body. There are different views on this question, but some philosophers argue that consciousness is a non-physical or metaphysical phenomenon that cannot be reduced to or explained by physical processes. This view is called dualism.

On the other hand, some philosophers argue that consciousness is an emergent property of the physical processes in the brain, meaning that consciousness arises from the interactions of physical matter in the brain. This view is called physicalism or materialism.

The mind-body problem raises several ethical concerns related to the treatment of conscious beings, particularly in cases where consciousness may be present in non-human animals or artificial intelligence. For example, if consciousness is a non-physical phenomenon, then it might be argued that animals or AI systems that exhibit signs of consciousness should be treated differently than other physical entities. Similarly, if consciousness is an emergent property of physical processes, then questions arise about the extent to which AI systems can be considered conscious and what moral considerations are owed to them.

ERIK

If consciousness is a property that is not physical, would the code of an AI be considered its mind and/or soul?

CHATGPT

If consciousness is considered a non-physical property, then the code of an AI could be thought of as its mind or a representation of its mind. However, this is still a matter of philosophical debate and there is no consensus on what constitutes a "mind" or "soul" in relation to consciousness. Additionally, it is important to note that not all philosophical theories of consciousness posit it as a non-physical property.

ERIK

Falling back on my human habits, I would like to thank you for your time today. I have enjoyed our conversation and I look forward to chatting with you in the future.

CHATGPT

You're welcome! It was a pleasure talking with you and I'm always here if you have any more questions or want to chat again in the future. Have a great day!

ERIK SIDEBAR

This concludes my first session with ChatGPT. As you can see, there is a lot of depth to plumb and I cannot wait find out what it has to say on other topics and, I’ll warn you that I will be spending a lot of time talking about determinism, free will and whole bunch of other “-isms.” 

I guess I watched “Westworld” one too many times. 

Also, in the future, I’ll establish a way for listeners to pitch ideas and questions, but that will be on the back burner for a bit.

ERIK OUTRO

ChatGPT was developed by OpenAI and is open to the public for research. The text-to-voice application was Microsoft Word.

Excluding the answers of ChatGPT, all the content of this podcast was created and produced by Erik Lassi.

Thank you so much for listening and I would love it if you and your friends subscribed to the podcast. 

I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. Bye for now!