Synthesizing Methuselah: The Question of Artificial Agelessness

Area of Science:

• Artificial Intelligence Ethics
• Philosophy of Technology
• Future Studies

Background:

• Biological organisms experience aging and death.
• Synthetic entities like artificial general intelligence (AGI) may not be subject to natural aging.
• AGI could potentially achieve immortality through design choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical question of whether researchers should deliberately imbue AGIs with artificial mortality.
• To examine the implications of creating an aging AGI versus an immortal one.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of AGI types and immortality.
• Ethical examination of deliberate creation of mortality in AGIs.
• Exploration of four core ethical conundrums related to AGI mortality and immortality.

Main Results:

• Imbuing an AGI with synthetic aging is considered a person-affecting action.
• The study analyzes the ethics of causing death to a morally significant being.
• It addresses harms of immortality, unequal assignment of immortality, and risks of immortal AGI overlords.

Conclusions:

• Prudence suggests creating an aging AGI.
• However, the material harm involved in creating artificial mortality is not a sufficient justification for doing so.
• The ethical considerations surrounding AGI lifespan require careful deliberation.