Pluribus (or "PLUR1BUS") shows how the world radically changes after everyone on the planet merges their thoughts and knowledge to become a single entity. Everyone except, of course, the main character and 11 others. The sci-fi magic that causes this is an alien message received by SETI and decoded as an RNA sequence that then spreads to everyone. Importantly, as of the third episode, there's no direct involvement of the aliens apart from sending the sequence, apparently eons ago. This means that everything happening, everything the new "Pluribus" entity does, is the result of human knowledge and abilities.
This is really interesting to me as it fits a "minimalist" definition of AGI that... (read 378 more words →)
Hi,
I have a background in computer science and logic. I'm fascinated with AI safety, and I'm writing science fiction exploring some of the concepts. Can I share a short story on lesswrong? Any advice apart from tagging it with "fiction"? In particular, can I post a blurb and a link to the story?
(I ask about linking because the terms of use mention an "irrevocable" license and I'm not sure of the full implications.)
It's even more interesting if this is some kind of convergence. Today we perceive the existing AI to be alien, sycophantic and "clumsy" in the way it interact with us. And somehow Pluribus really hits those same notes perfectly. It's also possible that some of the nuances in the actor's tones etc were inspired by their early experience with chatGPT.
Of course the analogy is better if it's unintentional, just like demons or genies are often used as a way to think about AI and its dangers. But there's something that feels different in Pluribus, it has it's own brand of "helpful but creepy" without being deceitful (for now of course).