#217 Ben Goertzel: The Path to Artificial General Intelligence, Decentralized AI and AI Consciousness

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In this episode of the Eye on AI podcast, we dive into the world of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with Ben Goertzel, CEO of SingularityNET and a leading pioneer in AGI development.

Ben shares his vision for building machines that go beyond task-specific capabilities to achieve true, human-like intelligence. He explores how AGI could reshape society, from revolutionizing industries to redefining creativity, learning, and autonomous decision-making. 

Throughout the conversation, Ben discusses his unique approach to AGI, which combines decentralized AI systems and blockchain technology to create open, scalable, and ethically aligned AI networks. He explains how his work with SingularityNET aims to democratize AI, making AGI development transparent and accessible while mitigating risks associated with centralized control.

Ben also delves into the philosophical and ethical questions surrounding AGI, offering insights into consciousness, the role of empathy, and the potential for building machines that not only think but also align with humanity’s best values. He shares his thoughts on how decentralized AGI can avoid the narrow, profit-driven goals of traditional AI and instead evolve in ways that benefit society as a whole.

This episode offers a thought-provoking glimpse into the future of AGI, touching on the technical challenges, societal impact, and ethical considerations that come with creating truly intelligent machines.

Ben’s perspective will leave you questioning not only what AGI can achieve, but also how we can guide it toward a positive future.

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(00:00) Introduction to Ben Goertzel

(01:21) Overview of "The Consciousness Explosion" 

(02:28) Ben’s Background in AI and AGI

(04:39) Exploring Consciousness and AI

(08:22) Panpsychism and Views on Consciousness

(10:32) The Path to the Singularity

(13:28) Critique of Modern AI Systems

(18:30) Perspectives on Human-Level AI and Creativity

(21:42) Ben’s AGI Paradigm and Approach

(25:39) OpenCog Hyperon and Knowledge Graphs

(31:12) Integrating Perception and Experience in AI

(34:02) Robotics in AGI Development

(35:06) Virtual Learning Environment for AGI

(39:01) Creativity in AI vs. Human Intelligence

(44:21) User Interaction with AGI Systems

(48:22) Funding AGI Research Through Cryptocurrency

(53:03) Final Thoughts on Compassionate AI

(55:21) How to Get "The Consciousness Explosion" Book