Recent discussions about artificial intelligence safety have focused heavily on ensuring AI systems remain under human control. While this goal seems laudable on its surface, we should carefully examine whether some proposed safety measures could paradoxically enable rather than prevent dangerous concentrations of power.

The Control Paradox

The fundamental tension lies in how we define "safety." Many current approaches to AI safety focus on making AI systems more controllable and aligned with human values. But this raises a critical question: controllable by whom, and aligned with whose values?

When we develop mechanisms to control AI systems, we are essentially creating tools that could be used by any sufficiently powerful entity - whether that's a government, corporation, or other organization. The very features that make an AI system "safe" in terms of human control could make it a more effective instrument of power consolidation.

Natural Limits on Human Power

Historical [...]

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Outline:

(00:25) The Control Paradox

(01:05) Natural Limits on Human Power

(02:46) The Human-AI Nexus

(03:58) Alignment as Enabler of Coherent Entities

(04:21) Dynamics of Inevitable Control?

(05:14) The Offensive Advantage

(06:12) The Double Bind of Development

(06:40) Rethinking Our Approach

(08:39) Conclusion

The original text contained 5 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

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First published:
October 29th, 2024

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/zWJTcaJCkYiJwCmgx/the-alignment-trap-ai-safety-as-path-to-power

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

“The Alignment Trap: AI Safety as Path to Power” by crispweed

LessWrong (30+ Karma)

“The Alignment Trap: AI Safety as Path to Power” by crispweed