About

"We need more understanding of human nature, because the only real danger that exists is man himself. He is the great danger, and we are pitifully unaware of it. His psyche should be studied because we are the origin of all coming evil."

– Carl Jung

Ethics First AI is an independent blog and personal website launched in December 2024 by me, Cody Albert. I seek to advance human potential through AI-enhanced cognitive development and ethical growth, creating solutions for AI alignment that benefit all humanity. I envision a future where AI, neurotechnology, biotechnology, and designer drugs converge to unlock unprecedented levels of human intelligence and morality.

I believe that widespread improved cognitive function and ethical reasoning are essential for addressing the technical and moral challenges of AI development. There is a stark divide between intellectual capability and moral judgment, as witnessed with top Nazi officials' high IQs but perverted ethics and argued for by Eliezer Yudkowsky's orthogonality hypothesis (asserting that there can exist arbitrarily intelligent agents pursuing any kind of goal, and that intelligence and ethical values are unrelated dimensions) suggesting cognitive enhancement must be accompanied by strong moral reasoning. Just as sound judgment and coordination of different muscles are critical for navigating risks like driving, optimal enhanced group decision-making in both intellectual and moral capability is paramount when shaping powerful AI systems.

My approach prioritizes rigorous research, ethical responsibility, and rapid yet thoughtful progress to keep up with the frantic pace of AI development while making as few errors as possible. I am committed to exploring and advancing the complexities of human consciousness while ensuring that these advancements are grounded in the shared goal of a flourishing future.

My approach links AI safety with human cognitive development. I believe in giving AI input from diverse perspectives, particularly those already exploring human cognitive enhancement and moral maturation through anything as simple as meditation or as complex as neurofeedback. Our current state of consciousness directly influences how we design AI systems—just as we see biases and blunders reflected in today's generative AI systems, our present decisions are already shaping future AI development.

I also anticipate AI systems soon being capable of self-directed R&D, autonomously producing research that advances both AI capabilities and safety measures in a recursive improvement cycle. My vision emphasizes autonomous AI safety research guided by humans who possess not only the intellectual capacity to steer this process responsibly but also the ethical discernment necessary for sound judgment. This combination of technical oversight and moral wisdom will be essential as AI increasingly participates in its own development.

The hasty advancement of AI technology creates urgency for improving human decision-making capabilities. Whether through AI-powered brain-computer interfaces or some completely novel AI-created innovation, I advocate for broad access to these cognitive enhancement tools. This democratized approach to human improvement ensures that no one who wants to participate is left behind, inclusively allowing us to better understand and address the complex ethical challenges of developing transformative AI systems, where catastrophic and existential risk at both the artificial general intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence levels may be relatively high. The goal is not just personal benefit, but collective advancement: enhancing our abilities to make wise and rational decisions about AI development while ensuring these technologies remain accessible to all.

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What to do

My overarching interests lie in global consciousness expansion and solving the alignment problem. In the meantime, I'll be learning, writing, and staying active in the space. If you enjoy Ethics First AI, please share it with a few friends who might enjoy it too. Let's make sure a transformative AI isn't the final thing we ever invent!