‘The Idea That AI Could Develop Consciousness Is Fascinating and Somewhat Unnerving’
June 26th, 2024
Interview with Dr. Jalil Aboulrhit, Generative AI Creator & Pharmacist
Dr. Jalil Aboulrhit has many interests and a somewhat shiny personality online. This Moroccan polymath mixes AI with pharmaceuticals, software development, and art.
He posts amazing AI-created images on his profile, but during our interview, we also saw that this guy really thinks about stuff!
He has a unique way of thinking about AI and its implications and carefully considers all the possibilities of what could happen if AI became conscious.
The Interview
What's your job and how does it involve AI?
I have different hats:
* As pharmacist, I use AI to achieve different daily tasks and automate different processes as I have an engineering background. I am exploring the possibility of collaborating with some researchers to generate new molecules that can be used in a therapeutic way.
* As an architectural and interior designer, I use AI to generate visual and written content.
* As an Artistic creator (Digital Artwork), I use AI to express loudly my imagination through renders that go beyond reality.
Let's dream and realize :)
What's the craziest thing about AI you've heard so far?
One of the most mind-boggling aspects of AI is its potential to become self-aware. While it might sound like science fiction, the idea that AI could develop consciousness or a sense of self is both fascinating and somewhat unnerving.
Imagine a scenario where an AI system not only understands its own existence but also begins to question its purpose, desires, and even its place in the world. This concept raises profound philosophical and ethical questions about the nature of intelligence, consciousness, and the relationship between humans and machines.
While we're far from creating a truly self-aware AI, the possibility sparks intense debate among scientists, ethicists, and futurists about the implications of such a development. Would a self-aware AI be entitled to rights? Could it experience emotions or form personal relationships? How would society integrate or coexist with such entities?
Though this might seem like the stuff of science fiction, it's a topic that's increasingly gaining attention as AI technology advances and we move closer to the realm of possibility.
Which AI tool do you personally use the most?
I use different tools from chat-GPT/Copilot/Gemini to other generative-AI platforms like (Midjourney/ dall E /Leonardo.ai / Firefly...)
How much time do you approx. save daily by using AI tools?
For some tasks, these tools are game changers and help to save tremendously the time (Almost 50%). However, to bring creative masterpieces into reality, we can dive and forget about the time.
Do you prefer: ChatGPT or Gemini?
I use all of them without preference for the moment. Usually chat-GPT but I still exploring and comparing. The new coming Microsoft tool may change the game. So, I still open to explore all of them and adapt the use to convenient results.
Some of Dr. Aboulrhit’s creations
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What area should AI enthusiasts keep an eye on in the near future?
One area that AI enthusiasts should definitely keep an eye on in the near future is "AI ethics and responsible AI development". As AI technology continues to advance rapidly and integrate into various aspects of society, it's crucial to ensure that it is developed and deployed in a way that aligns with ethical principles, human values, and societal well-being.
Here are a few key aspects within the realm of AI ethics that are likely to become increasingly important:
1. Bias and fairness: Addressing bias in AI algorithms and ensuring fairness in decision-making processes is paramount. AI systems are often trained on data that reflects societal biases, leading to biased outcomes, particularly in areas such as hiring, lending, and criminal justice. Mitigating bias and promoting fairness requires careful attention to data collection, algorithm design, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
2. Transparency and Explainability: As AI systems become more complex and opaque, there is a growing need for transparency and explainability. Users should understand how AI systems make decisions and be able to trust their outputs. Techniques for explaining AI decisions, such as interpretable machine learning models and post-hoc explanation methods, are areas of active research.
3. Privacy and data protection: AI often relies on vast amounts of data, raising concerns about privacy and data protection. Ensuring that AI systems respect user privacy rights and comply with data protection regulations is essential. Techniques such as federated learning, differential privacy, and encrypted computation can help protect sensitive data while still enabling valuable AI insights.
4. Accountability and Oversight: Establishing mechanisms for accountability and oversight is critical for ensuring that AI systems are used responsibly. This includes clear lines of responsibility for AI development and deployment, as well as mechanisms for addressing harms caused by AI systems. Regulatory frameworks, industry standards, and multi-stakeholder collaborations play important roles in promoting accountability and oversight.
5. Human-AI interaction and augmentation: As AI systems become more integrated into everyday life, understanding how humans interact with and are augmented by AI is crucial. Designing AI systems that enhance human capabilities, rather than replacing them, can lead to more beneficial outcomes. Human-centered design principles and interdisciplinary collaboration between AI researchers and experts in fields such as psychology and sociology are essential for achieving this goal.
By staying informed about developments in AI ethics and actively participating in discussions and initiatives aimed at promoting responsible AI development, enthusiasts can help shape the future of AI in a way that maximizes its benefits while minimizing its risks.
Any tips, tricks or hacks regarding the use of AI?
A responsible use respecting ethics and privacy. That's all I can recommend about the use of AI.
What AI tool should be invented for you?
I will do that myself :)
Love or hate: Technology smarter than humans aka AGI?
Technology is the fruit of Humans genius. In fact, it helps to facilitate the daily life tasks or brings solutions for human problems. However, it will never be smarter than the Human itself.
Do you believe AI will bring a bigger technological revolution than the internet?
I am totally convinced that the AI era will be different so Far.
Who'll make the race for spearheading AI in 10 years? e.g. Microsoft, OpenAI, etc.
They are all investing and competitive. So, even AI won't predict the winner :)
Is AI more of a chance or a challenge for humanity? Why?
I think both. They way you use it and conceive it will define which side the needle will turn.
Continue Reading:
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‘These tools work better when you bribe them' Thomas Bornheim, 42 Heilbronn
‘AI democratizes creativity' says AI Video Expert Jan-Willem Blom
’If data is diverse and representative enough then I would love for technology to be smarter than humans’ says Svenja Schölermann from Women in AI
‘It’s incredibly helpful to give LLMs it’s response back and ask it to find 5 ways to fix it.’ Dipanshu Gupta, AI Equity Research Analyst
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About the interview series:
‘Spilling the digital beans on AI’ allows you to listen in on CEOs building AI tools and learn from AI enthusiasts who are already leveraging the technology every day.
Whether you are looking for tips using AI or want to take a glimpse into the future of AI with us, get the popcorn out because we translate the technical chit-chat into a language we all understand.
