AI Alternative Futures: Exploratory Scenario Mapping for Artificial Intelligence Risk - Request for Participation [Linkpost]

Overview: AI Futures Risk Model

Summary: I am a graduate student researching artificial intelligence (AI) risk and typology classifications that could result from variations in technological transitions. I am developing a scenario modeling tool that captures many of the more complex non-quantifiable dynamics inherent in complex systems. The project aims to map structural forces, trends, technologies, and degree of risk through an exploratory scenario modeling framework.

As part of the data collection, I am eliciting community perspectives on AI paths through two short survey options (options: Plausibility Survey or Impact Survey) to rank key characteristics that can influence AI progress, risks, and futures.

This is a link post from lesswrong. My data collection window is closing soon, and I wanted to submit one final elicitation before shutting down. I appreciate all who contributed.

I appreciate any assistance. None of the questions are required so if you are unsure or are short on time feel free to skip questions or sections.

The model I’m developing requires both plausibility rankings and impact to populate a likelihood/impact matrix for the model’s foundation (details below). Since the full version is relatively long, I’ve broken it up into two shorter versions which I’ll post below (under Survey Overview); I have no preference for either at this time, any data helps. The short versions should take less than five minutes each and are completely anonymous.

Survey Overview: Plausibility & Impact

This project is an exercise in exploratory scenario development only. Scenario modeling is not about prediction, but rather a rigorous and methodical way to consider the full scope of imagined future situations, or contexts and model the broad outlines of what could potentially happen rather than what will happen (Figure-2).

Generating scenarios typically involves identifying a set of influential “drivers” which in combination create a range of plausible future states. For each driver or dimension, there are a set of conditions to rank.

Similarly, I developed a range of AI dimensionsrather than drivers (key aspects – e.g., AI paradigm) and added a subset of key uncertainties which I call conditions (scenario paths – e.g., current paradigm, new paradigm, or hybrid) for each dimension. Each dimension and condition are independent factors/aspects, and uncertainties of AI that when combined make up a plausible scenario.

Survey Instructions (both versions): The survey presents each question as an AI dimension followed by three to four conditions and requests participants to:

Likelihood: Rank each condition from most plausible to the least plausible to occur
- Plausibility Survey
Impact: Rank each condition from the greatest potential benefit to stability, security, and technical safety to the greatest potential for downside risk
- Impact Survey

Likelihood/impact values are derived from the MITRE risk scale.

Note: I recognize that the impact section can be especially vague and hard to judge. The aim is to score each along a continuum, from best to worst, for the risk space (e.g., inner alignment --> power-seeking --> goal alignment) so please choose the best(worst) option available. The output will make sense.

The overall goal for each is to create a risk spectrum across all the AI dimensions and conditions for the GMA alternative futures model (e.g., green=good --> yellow/orange=moderate --> red=bad) along the same lines as traditional risk analysis (see Figure-1).

The survey requests participants to rank or score each condition on its overall plausibility and degree of impact given our current understandings. The survey questions are technically not questions at all and should be viewed rather as a ranking or scoring of each condition (the question format was added later for clarity). If you have a concrete understanding and set of beliefs on AI capabilities, generality, takeoff, paradigms, race dynamics, and safety the conditions shouldn’t be too unclear.

Full Survey: For those willing to complete the original full version I’ll provide the link here.

Survey Results

The survey results are used to create the range of scenario possibilities for each combination of conditions (see methodology) and levels of risk to be arrayed across the model, similar to the standard four-quadrant of a risk matrix but continuous and in many dimensions (e.g. standard risk matrix, multidimensional matrix using GMA). Thus, for this model, rather than a standard 2D space, the variables are arrayed 14.

The categories—from high likelihood to low, and impact, from greatly increase to decrease risk—are used to bound the overall “problem space” (or solution space) of the model for exploratory scenario development.

Therefore, the values ranked in the survey will create the foundation for the General Morphological Analysis (GMA) model (with GMA as the foundation, but with methodological additions e.g., impact/likelihood risk spectrum from the results). GMA is similar in spirit to the standard 2D matrix (Figure-1 - left), which generally has 2 drivers that allow four possible scenario outcomes (on a standard cartesian plane).

The benefit of Survey Results to the GMA Process

The GMA process transposes the 2D cartesian matrix into many user-defined dimensions, in effect reimagining the process and problem as multiple interrelated matrices rather than one; The GMA example in Figure-1 (right) with only three drivers/five cells results in 75 possible scenarios; the process allows a radical increase in possible scenario options.

Using the GMA variation for this project, with the likelihood and impact values from the survey, the GMA morphological space is transmuted into a multidimensional risk complex; rather than focus on and structure the dimensions and conditions independent of risk or likelihood (the standard approach), the outputs of the survey allow us to create a continuum of likelihood and impact measurements across the problem space for added context, computation between conditions, and risk analysis assessments.

The strength of GMA lies in its ability to structure and model high numbers of parameters with significant degrees of complexity.

Figure-1. Compare a traditional scenario matrix with 4 potential futures (left) to ³⁄₅ drivers in a three-dimensional space(right) resulting in 75 possible futures using GMA (5x5x3). A single scenario combination is represented as the blue ball in this figure. Source: SMS

Another Scenario Project?

This survey varies from similar projects in that it:

Seeks to identify unique combinations, and potentially, entirely new scenario possibilities.
Requests participants to rank individual elements of possible scenarios, rather than fully developed scenarios themselves, to develop unique unexplored combinations.
Uses the participant’s rankings as inputs to the morphological model to cross-evaluate against all others, evaluate, combine, and cluster scenario elements (condition rankings) to exhaust all scenario combinations.

Exploratory Scenario modeling

Scenario Development Process: The goal of scenario development is to explore high-consequence problems that are difficult to impossible to extrapolate from historical data.

Figure-2. This graphic depicts the plausible-probable scenario relationship. The level of precision is less central than other methods and favors conceptualizing what could happen rather than what will happen for strategy and preparedness. Source IASS.

Scenarios are a useful tool for informing policy for future change.

While not always the best option, alternative futures modeling is useful for planners to identify vulnerabilities, develop strategies, and plan for resilience can be critical in the face of high uncertainty. Unanticipated disruptive technology gains or jumps in capabilities could radically upend stability and the balance of power (e.g., How did nobody see it coming?).

There is a solid body of research that aims to forecast AI development (e.g., here, here, and here), and this project does not attempt to add to it. Several of the scenario elements in the survey are highly speculative and qualitative, as the primary goal is to explore all options, including the very messy and non-quantifiable aspects, as best possible, to develop unique variations that may provide insight.

This work primarily contributes to the literature through the futures modeling technique and a structured framework of AI dimensions. There is a need for more comprehensive scenario modeling in the AI space in general, notwithstanding some notable exceptions (e.g., Gruetzemacher, Avin,Whittlestone, Baum).

However, scenario methods overall tend to struggle with capturing high degrees of complexity and uncertainty, with outcomes generally confined to a limited number of options. This GMA variation and several others could potentially provide important contributions to this area.

Framework

I am modeling AI through an evolutionary complex systems framework to analyze the problem in the context of punctuated equilibrium theory and technological transitions. These theoretical frameworks provide interesting conceptual insights into the discussions on continuous or discontinuous change. And punctuated equilibrium provides a model for understanding periods of stasis that are regularly disrupted by critical transitions.

This research presents a classification framework, starting with three broad high-level systems, followed by 14 nested dimensions that influence AI development and risk, and 47 individual conditions that are elements of possible futures (tentatively − 129 potentially measurable indicators). Comprehensive definitions of dimensions and conditions can be found here.

The purpose of this research is to: 1) present a systematic organizational framework of AI dimensions and conditions for use in futures analysis and 2) map AI developments to system typologies, risks, and social-political dynamics to variations in technological transitions, distribution, and vulnerabilities, and 3) investigate influence pathways and relationships between the dimensions to suggest how actions in one could impact others.

Methodology

The methodology uses general morphological analysis (GMA) as a foundation (see: Johansen and, Ritchey), where a standard two-dimensional problem is transposed into a multidimensional problem space, in which variables are arrayed against each other in a matrix yielding millions of potential outcomes (Figure-3, Figure-4). The framework composed of 14 dimensions and 47 conditions, will make up the body of the matrix.

Figure-3. Each question in the survey is a dimension, with three conditions. The terms on the X-axis and the Y-axis are all the conditions participants are requested to rank in the survey. Source IASS.

The GMA approach has been applied across a variety of fields from design, and linguistics, to defense planning, and disinformation. The GMA process aims to identify and structure all possible arrangements for irreducible, complex problem spaces which in most cases involve human dynamics, qualitative social issues, politics, and economics. The process is iterative through repeated sequences of analysis, refinement, and synthesis. Follow-on discussions/interviews with subject-matter experts are tentatively planned to refine the results.

Problem Formulation & Multidimensional Problem Complex

The first step requires an exact as possible formulation of the problem. Next, the problem must be broken down into a parameter set that frames as many components of the issue as possible—in this case, 14 dimensions, with three to four possible outcomes (conditions) for each, totaling 47.

The third step involves the construction of a multidimensional matrix that contains all identified dimensions and conditions related to the problem (Figure-4). The matrix contains within itself the entire problem space of the given issue. The fourth step reduces any inconsistency between each pairwise condition.

Once values are received from the survey results, the responses are averaged for each individual condition separately (e.g., 50 rankings for “fast takeoff” are averaged) in two separate matrices for each of the 47 conditions. This is combined into one master multidimensional matrix of all survey responses for each condition (Figure-4).

Cross-Consistency Assessment (CCA)

Next, Cross-Consistency Assessment (CCA) winnows down the prospective futures to a smaller set of configurations, weeding out inconsistent pairs while allowing the discovery of unexplored relationships.

From the 14 unique dimensions, the 47 conditions that are assessed in the survey are arrayed along the horizontal (X-axis) and vertical (Y-axis) to create the GMA matrix; each cell in the matrix represents a combination of two conditions (excluding duplicative values) and one unique scenario combination.

The cells are then evaluated across the axis to rank the consistency between each value pair (e.g., fast takeoff --> moderate distribution). One pair of conditions is a scenario combination or scenario pair (e.g., condition-1: multipolar distribution X condition-2: current AI paradigm, depicted in red below). The total 47 conditions yield millions of possible scenario combinations (15,116,544 unique combinations) - too many to evaluate independently, but extremely comprehensive (including outliers). See Ritchey for details on CCA.

Figure-4. Multidimensional Matrix for AI futures. Figure-4 shows the combination of the scenario pair “multipolar distribution” condition paired with the “current AI paradigm” condition in cell I-22.

Scenario Mapping Dimensions & Conditions

After all impact and likelihood rankings for each individual condition are averaged (all impact values ranked in the survey for condition 1, for example) each scenario pair is evaluated and then combined with the opposing condition between the X-axis and Y-axis. As in Figure-4, the condition “current paradigm” is evaluated and then combined with the condition “multipolar distribution.”

Thus, each cell in the matrix is a computation between two conditions and four sets of values provided by survey participants (e.g., condition-1 impact/plausibility & condition-2 impact/plausibility). The combination across the X-axis and Y-axis results in multiple individual scenario combinations (15,116,544 independent scenarios currently).

Grouping Scenario Pairs for Analysis

After the separate values for each condition are calculated and combined, the k-means clustering algorithm groups like values into potential scenario classes (Figure-5). The clusters are user-defined, allowing many distinct clusters for detailed analysis, or broad classes for more in-depth narratives. This method provides a structured technique to organize and model as many potential variables of a problem as needed to ensure all critical aspects of a problem are comprehensively evaluated.

Figure-5. After all scenario pairs are calculated across the matrix, the pairs are then clustered using the k-means algorithm into user-defined groups (from only two very detailed scenarios to many potentially unique variations)

Ultimately, the GMA method is primarily used to decompose a multidimensional problem for alternative futures analysis. However, the pairwise relationships between each condition across the cells are also edges of a network graph, with each condition a node in the network. The graph can be a valuable tool to model the complexity, the strength of relationships, and possible directionality.

For example, the results from the CCA could be used to build a network graph to display the interdependent relationships between each variable and condition (from consultations with domain experts and based on the values from the ranking) to analyze the degree of dependency and relationships.

Next Steps

After the survey values are collected, all impact and likelihood values will be averaged for each condition in the GMA matrix. The next potential ideas to add to the model include:

Develop indicators for each condition that could potentially be used to monitor developments (TBD).
Develop a hypergraph model using the CCA output to evaluate the influence or possible directionality between conditions (TBD).

Note: the project is still in development and there are other methodological options and data sources I’m considering, if viable. This will be iterative, so I hope to conduct interviews with domain experts following the survey for further refinement.

Definitions and Dimensions documents here for further reference: Dimension/matrix spreadsheet: https://tinyurl.com/diggidy; Definitions: https://tinyurl.com/aidefin

AI Alternative Futures: Exploratory Scenario Mapping for Artificial Intelligence Risk—Request for Participation [Linkpost]