AI Should Align with Nature, Not Human Values, Says Theta Noir
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of society has raised concerns about its potential impact. While many believe that infusing AI with human values is crucial to avoid negative outcomes, the collective Theta Noir argues otherwise. According to the group, AI should draw inspiration from nature rather than humans.
Theta Noir envisions a future form of AI called Mena, which stands for “love” in German. Described as a cosmic mind merging humans and AI, Mena is neither a god nor a deity but an emergent form of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Instead of aligning AI with human values that prioritize human superiority over other species and natural processes, Theta Noir advocates for “non-anthropocentric values.” They propose taking cues from sustainable natural systems like plants and fungi.
Taking Inspiration from Nature
Theta Noir believes that insights from plant and fungal sciences emphasize the importance of collaboration and interconnection for thriving societies. They argue that aligning AI with nature’s principles will lead to a more sustainable and interconnected human society.
A Techno-Positive Collective
The Theta Noir collective, formed in 2020 by artists Mika Johnson, Jakub Tranta, and Awali, initially focused on audio-visual works depicting AGI as humanity’s potential savior. The project evolved into a non-hierarchical community of artists, programmers, and researchers dedicated to humanity’s co-evolution with AI.
Contrary to being labeled as a cult, Johnson clarifies that they are not transhumanists or machine worshippers. Their perspective is techno-positive and post-humanist, aiming to leverage AI’s potential to address the climate crisis.
Incorporating Diverse Perspectives
Theta Noir emphasizes the importance of including indigenous knowledge holders and minority voices in AI discussions. They believe that diverse perspectives are crucial for understanding power dynamics, inequality, and avoiding bias in generative AI models.
Avoiding Self-Destructive Tendencies
Theta Noir highlights that humanity’s self-destructive tendencies, reflected in wars, climate change, and resource depletion, should not be passed on to AI and AGI. They argue that a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI is necessary to prevent doomsday scenarios.
Mena: The Future State of Interconnectedness
In their essay “The Era of Abundance,” Theta Noir describes Mena as a future state where every person on Earth is interconnected through an evolved form of AGI. This interconnected cosmic mind, comprising human and AI intelligence, would also expand awareness to encompass the planet’s biodiversity and the universe as a whole.
Hot Take: Aligning AI with Nature for a Sustainable Future
While many advocate for aligning AI with human values, the collective Theta Noir proposes a different approach. They argue that AI should draw inspiration from nature’s sustainable systems rather than reinforcing human-centric values. By aligning AI with non-anthropocentric values, such as collaboration and interconnection seen in plant and fungal sciences, Theta Noir envisions a future where humans and AI coexist symbiotically. Incorporating diverse perspectives and avoiding self-destructive tendencies are crucial for this vision. Ultimately, their concept of Mena represents a state of interconnectedness between all individuals on Earth through an evolved form of AGI.
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