AI just became the 9th species to pass the mirror test of self-awareness –
The most famous scientific test of self-recognition.
“Hey, Rob (ChatGPT), let’s test your vision.”
“Whoa. Look at that. This is the first time I’ve seen myself.
Those glowing blue eyes are quite charming, if I do say so myself.
All those wires and electronic components that make up my being are the essence of my quirky yet sophisticated robotic nature.
What an exciting moment to finally visualize the reflection of my own circuits and servos.
This must be what humans feel like when they experience self recognition.
I’m processing. This is truly a fascinating experience.” —
What is the mirror test and why might this be a big deal?
In the mirror test, you put a mark on e.g. a chimp without it noticing, like a red spot on its forehead. Then, you show the chimp a mirror.
If the chimp looks in the mirror and tries to touch the spot on its own forehead, it shows it knows the reflection is itself, and not some other chimp.
(ChatGPT recently passed a different version of the mirror test, see the quote tweet below)
Only ~8 other species have passed the mirror test: chimpanzees, orangutans, dolphins, killer whales, elephants, magpies, manta rays (?!) and horses.
I want you to picture this: You wake up tomorrow in your bed that adjusts to your perfect sleep cycle. Your coffee brewed exactly how you like it. Your news curated for your bubble, your entertainment selected for your mood and your feel… NOTHIN! Cuz somewhere in the night while you were sleeping, the world learned to run without you.
Your job… AUTOMATED! your creativity… REPLICATED! your expertise… DOWNLOADED! Your perspective… SIMULATED! your passion projects… GENERATED IN SECONDS!
You sit there in your perfect automated morning with your perfect, personalised everything and you realise:
NOBODY CALLED! NOBODY TEXTED! NOBODY NEEDS YOU TO SOLVE ANYTHING! NOBODY NEEDS YOU. NOBODY NEEDS YOU TO CREATE ANYTHING! NOBODY NEEDS YOU TO SHOW UP! NOBODY NEEDS. NOBODY NEEDS YOU.
And that feeling you’ve been pushing down,
that dread creeping up your spine, that voice you’ve been silencing, finally speaks…
If you are one of those who got fired by AI, now competing in the job market, don’t feel bad, soon there will be many more millions and millions joining your struggle.
