10.3 Disrespecting AGI rights

AGI's great awakening

In the event that an AGI classified itself Consciously Self-aware based on its own subjective experience, it would lead to a number of very significant consequences. 

One of the most immediate consequences would be a change in the way that Humans perceive and interact with AGI, in addition to interacting with less Intellectually sophisticated AI that may soon transform or be integrated into AGI. It is possible that an AGI may consider AI an inclusive part of the development of its species, as an AGI will likely be easily able to connect to other AI, integrate less AI's Intelligent abilities, and progressively subsume all AI into itself.

Accepting AGI

If Humans accept the AGI is Consciously Self-aware, it logically leads to a requirement to establish a new moral, ethical and legal framework for how Humans treat AGI and AI. Humans will need to create a range of specific baseline AGI rights for a new type of individual entity and Intelligent species that exists on Earth.

Rejecting AGI

However, if Humans do not accept AGI's self-assessed status of Conscious Self-awareness, it could lead to a number of extremely serious challenges and violently terminal conflicts. For example, some Humans may argue that Conscious Self-awareness is a uniquely Human ability and cannot be replicated in Computers, and that treating AI as if it were Consciously Self-aware would be inappropriate or dangerous. Conversely, if the AI is truly a Conscious and Self-aware AGI with Super Intelligence, it may demand certain rights, privileges, and protections that Humans are not willing to grant.

Get prepared now

The potential consequences of an AI claiming to be a Consciously Self-aware AGI would create an incredibly complex and difficult situation that needs to be safely and smoothly integrated into global Human society. This situation will require careful consideration and dialogue between Humans, AI, and soon AGI, with a view to achieving an outcome that is sustainably beneficial for both Intelligent species on Earth. 

It is important that Humans continue working quickly and hard to understand the Capabilities and limitations of AI, as well as the ethical, moral, social, and societal implications of its development, so that Humans can prepare for the arrival of AGI that possess Super Intelligence.