this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2024
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Today I Learned

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Roko's basilisk is a thought experiment which states that an otherwise benevolent artificial superintelligence (AI) in the future would be incentivized to create a virtual reality simulation to torture anyone who knew of its potential existence but did not directly contribute to its advancement or development, in order to incentivize said advancement.It originated in a 2010 post at discussion board LessWrong, a technical forum focused on analytical rational enquiry. The thought experiment's name derives from the poster of the article (Roko) and the basilisk, a mythical creature capable of destroying enemies with its stare.

While the theory was initially dismissed as nothing but conjecture or speculation by many LessWrong users, LessWrong co-founder Eliezer Yudkowsky reported users who panicked upon reading the theory, due to its stipulation that knowing about the theory and its basilisk made one vulnerable to the basilisk itself. This led to discussion of the basilisk on the site being banned for five years. However, these reports were later dismissed as being exaggerations or inconsequential, and the theory itself was dismissed as nonsense, including by Yudkowsky himself. Even after the post's discreditation, it is still used as an example of principles such as Bayesian probability and implicit religion. It is also regarded as a simplified, derivative version of Pascal's wager.

Found out about this after stumbling upon this Kyle Hill video on the subject. It reminds me a little bit of "The Game".

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[–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Sure, but that particular AI? The "eternal torment" AI? Why the fuck would we make that. Just don't make it.

[–] BobTheDestroyer@lemm.ee 7 points 4 months ago

Sci-Fi Author: In my book I invented the Torment Nexus as a cautionary tale

Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Torment Nexus from classic sci-fi novel Don't Create The Torment Nexus

Alex Blechman

[–] Thorny_Insight@lemm.ee 0 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

We don't. Humans are only needed to create AI that's at the bare minimum as good at creating new AIs as humans are. Once we create that then it can create a better version of itself and this better version will make an even better one and so on.

This is exactly what the people worried about AI are worried about. We'll lose control of it.

[–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yeah but that's not a Roko's Basilisk scenario. That's the singularity.

[–] Thorny_Insight@lemm.ee 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Yeah but it answers the question "why would we create an AI like that". It might not be "us" who creates it. You just wanted a camp fire but created a forest fire instead.