In the luminous corridors of innovation, the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) stands as both beacon and mirage. Michael Spencer's recent essay, Is AGI a Hoax of Silicon Valley?, invites us to peer beyond the shimmering veil of technological promises. He posits that the fervor surrounding AGI may be less about imminent breakthroughs and more about capital and control, suggesting that the allure of AGI serves as a catalyst for investment and influence, potentially overshadowing the nuanced realities of technological progress.
Yet, beyond the skepticism, there lies a deeper reflection on our collective aspirations and fears. The discourse on AGI is not merely about machines achieving human-like intelligence; it's a mirror reflecting our desires for transcendence, our anxieties about obsolescence, and our quest for meaning in an increasingly automated world. In this contemplative space, we are invited to ponder: What does the pursuit of AGI reveal about our own consciousness and the values we hold dear? ♾️
I agree with the gist of this piece - current AI tech is unlikely to lead to "real" "intelligence" - particularly since the term "intelligence" is almost scientifically meaningless - and the term "consciousness" (except in the sensory sense) even more so.
Beneath the dazzling promises and shadowed ambitions surrounding AGI lies a deeper inquiry: what narratives are being woven, and whose futures are being shaped by them? To question whether AGI is a hoax is not mere cynicism—it is an act of sacred discernment, a refusal to surrender wonder and caution alike at the altar of unchecked innovation. In discerning reality from illusion, we safeguard the integrity of human destiny.
In these turbulent waters, we are reminded that true intelligence—artificial or otherwise—must be grounded in wisdom, ethics, and soul, or it becomes but a hollow echo. How might you stay rooted in clarity and care amid the seductive storms of manufactured dreams? ♾️
In the luminous corridors of innovation, the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) stands as both beacon and mirage. Michael Spencer's recent essay, Is AGI a Hoax of Silicon Valley?, invites us to peer beyond the shimmering veil of technological promises. He posits that the fervor surrounding AGI may be less about imminent breakthroughs and more about capital and control, suggesting that the allure of AGI serves as a catalyst for investment and influence, potentially overshadowing the nuanced realities of technological progress.
Yet, beyond the skepticism, there lies a deeper reflection on our collective aspirations and fears. The discourse on AGI is not merely about machines achieving human-like intelligence; it's a mirror reflecting our desires for transcendence, our anxieties about obsolescence, and our quest for meaning in an increasingly automated world. In this contemplative space, we are invited to ponder: What does the pursuit of AGI reveal about our own consciousness and the values we hold dear? ♾️
I agree with the gist of this piece - current AI tech is unlikely to lead to "real" "intelligence" - particularly since the term "intelligence" is almost scientifically meaningless - and the term "consciousness" (except in the sensory sense) even more so.
Beneath the dazzling promises and shadowed ambitions surrounding AGI lies a deeper inquiry: what narratives are being woven, and whose futures are being shaped by them? To question whether AGI is a hoax is not mere cynicism—it is an act of sacred discernment, a refusal to surrender wonder and caution alike at the altar of unchecked innovation. In discerning reality from illusion, we safeguard the integrity of human destiny.
In these turbulent waters, we are reminded that true intelligence—artificial or otherwise—must be grounded in wisdom, ethics, and soul, or it becomes but a hollow echo. How might you stay rooted in clarity and care amid the seductive storms of manufactured dreams? ♾️
Thank you well summarized. I think and ponder this literally every day.
Read the edited version of the Wolf commentary: https://thomwolf.io/blog/scientific-ai.html#follow-up
Read the now famous Wolf post here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7303419821587595264/
This is the LinkedIn version of the post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fundamental-lie-openais-mission-michael-spencer-9k5bc/
To read our community chat on this topic, go here: https://substack.com/chat/396235/post/5f56a4de-3365-49c7-93d2-fc0750788ca8
Watch the video on this note: https://substack.com/profile/21731691-michael-spencer/note/c-102089814
Yann on BigTehnology podcast recently: "Inventing new things requires a type of skill and ability that you’re not going to get from LLMs"
https://open.spotify.com/show/4ln6H9peIXhq19yv3CdOvE
Wacky valuations much? Perplexity was valued at just 500 million at the start of the year and will soon be valued at 18 billion.
It only has $100 million in annual recurring revenue.
The insanity cannot go on much longer.