I am extremely uncertain on this point. While there is a possibility that an aligned AI could be immensely beneficial for animals, I believe this is an outcome we absolutely cannot take for granted.
Broadly speaking, it is difficult to assess such a scenario without knowing the specific form an ‘aligned’ AI will take and what a world where humans coexist with an AGI or ASI will actually look like. As some have pointed out, if this AI were to simply ‘lock in’ current human values indefinitely, it would likely be really bad for animals.
It seems probable, however, that in the long run, an aligned AI scenario would eliminate our need for animals in most current capacities (factory farming, drug testing, etc.). Therefore, AI could potentially improve things for animals directly harmed by humans, though this would still depend on our willingness to move past these practices once they are no longer necessary.
But the real long-term stakes likely lie with wild animals, and here the risks appear far more significant. If we model an aligned AI on current human values, it might seek to preserve Nature for as long as possible, on our planet and potentially others (perhaps even ‘seeding’ other planets with wildlife). Given the immense scale of natural suffering, this could result in damage of colossal proportions.
I am extremely uncertain on this point. While there is a possibility that an aligned AI could be immensely beneficial for animals, I believe this is an outcome we absolutely cannot take for granted.
Broadly speaking, it is difficult to assess such a scenario without knowing the specific form an ‘aligned’ AI will take and what a world where humans coexist with an AGI or ASI will actually look like. As some have pointed out, if this AI were to simply ‘lock in’ current human values indefinitely, it would likely be really bad for animals.
It seems probable, however, that in the long run, an aligned AI scenario would eliminate our need for animals in most current capacities (factory farming, drug testing, etc.). Therefore, AI could potentially improve things for animals directly harmed by humans, though this would still depend on our willingness to move past these practices once they are no longer necessary.
But the real long-term stakes likely lie with wild animals, and here the risks appear far more significant. If we model an aligned AI on current human values, it might seek to preserve Nature for as long as possible, on our planet and potentially others (perhaps even ‘seeding’ other planets with wildlife). Given the immense scale of natural suffering, this could result in damage of colossal proportions.