Axiological Seedbanks: Cultivating Value Resilience in the Age of Transformative AI

Author: Jai Patel

Summary: This paper explores the critical importance of aligning artificial intelligence (AI) systems with human values as AI technologies advance towards transformative capabilities. The author introduces the concept of axiological seedbanks as a speculative framework to preserve, nurture, and dynamically integrate human values into the development of AI systems in order to avoid value lock-in and value drift. Axiological seedbanks aim to protect the diversity, contextuality, and evolution of human values, drawing parallels with agricultural seedbanks that safeguard crop diversity. By proposing a multi-dimensional approach encompassing value preservation, cultivation, and integration, the paper highlights the complexity and fragility of human values and offers innovative strategies such as using virtual reality for moral innovation and ethical time-lock puzzles for value alignment. The author emphasizes the need for inclusive governance mechanisms, anticipatory strategies, and ongoing learning to address the challenges and uncertainties associated with embedding human values into transformative AI systems effectively.

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