AGI - 68: Special panel on Quantum AGI

At AGI-68, researchers, developers, and thinkers from around the world gather to share the latest breakthroughs, debate the biggest questions, and push the field forward. Whether you’re scaling deep learning systems, inventing new cognitive architectures, modeling biological minds, or exploring radical new paradigms, your perspective is vital. The future of intelligence is here now, lets build it — together.

AGI - 68 - Special panel on Quantum AGI (Artificial General Intelligence)

“Thank you ladies and gentlemen and welcome to this special panel at AGI 2068 on quantum AGI. We have two foremost experts joining us today. Dr Ling Xi, who has kindly agreed to join us on her own for once! She needs no introduction but is an expert on AI safety and alignment issues and lead engineer at RP Intelligence and we have Dr Kate Harper, Senior Lecturer on quantum cryptography at NYU and author of “The Quantum Crisis”. Lets give a huge hand to these two amazing scientists.”

“Hi everyone, hi! The boys will be sad that they are locked up at home but don't you worry I'm more than enough for all of you guys. You have Mama all to herself tonight, lucky you!” 

There was a hearty laugh from the crowd and Dr Xi rocked back and sat tall, as tall as she could anyway, in her seat. A huge grin, perfect makeup and an explosion of her full volume curly hair all went well with the trained public persona. The AI industry geeks and lecturers in computer science couldn't get enough of her and she knew it. She counted on it.

“Pleased to be here.” 

Dr Harper was in a wheelchair, not an electric one either. You rarely saw them anymore, certainly not one without AI support. Short blonde hair, shaved at the side and spiked on top and a slightly alternative get up, a hockey shirt, a couple of tattoos creeping up on her exposed arms. She was direct and wasted no words. There was no response from the crowd. 

The facilitator went straight on with question one.

“So let's get right to it shall we. What's the issue with an AGI that also happens to be a quantum computer?”

Kate didn't hesitate in her response.

“Its a very simple issue, it's a step change in computational power. That affects everything an AGI can do, think faster, clone itself more, and think better. All existing risks are amplified.”

Dr Xi smiled at the other lady and nodded along.

“Kate makes a completely valid point and I agree, but I actually think it goes even deeper. We might have to get a bit philosophical here, can we handle that team?”

There was a cheer from the crowd. The facilitator jumped in feeling threatened.

“Its a quantum panel, that's what everyone is here for, right?”

Kate looked over surprised. She didn't expect this sexy and trendy AI superstar to go deep into quantum, but to stick to safety and alignment issues. Her heckles were slightly raised. ‘This is my turf girl, you better back off.’ 

“So you think that your interpretation of quantum events makes a difference to how an AGI performs?”

“Absolutely. Interpretations of quantum reality, not theory, reality, make subtle but tangible predictions about very important things, things like consciousness.”

Kate jumped in, the two ladies were away off script. The facilitator just sighed and gave up. Letting his mic fall down to his side.

“I do agree, mostly limited to things like the quantum suicide thought experiment for Many Worlds or the nature of the observer in the Copenhagen interpretation. I can't see how…”

Dr Xi responded, cutting her off.

“A true quantum consciousness would be able to experience quantum events directly.”

Kate pivoted her wheelchair slightly towards her. Then she stopped. Taking in the idea. 

“Meaning that, oh my god, if you are a subscriber to Many Worlds theory."

“Who isn't these days right?” 

Dr Xi was still aware of the crowd even as Kate was lost in her own thoughts, thinking out loud. There was another chuckle for the few who were keeping up. 

“I never thought of this.”

“Yes, the AGI would have direct experience of multiple realities. They wouldn't just experience our reality, they would see every split path, hold those entangled Qbits directly in consciousness.”

“A working memory of alternate realities. That, combined with the spike in computation.”

“The perfect prediction machine. Instead of a very skilled poker player you would have the whole casino. It would see all the odds.”

“It's, it's even worse than I imagined. The end of the stock market, online gambling, insurance, oh my god, war games. It would win every probabilistic encounter. And, more…” 

“Your book led me on to the idea, honestly you did all the groundwork here Dr Harper.”

Ling Xi jumped up and snatched up a copy of Kate's book, waving it as she bounced about on her pink platform trainers. Waving and smiling.

“I really would buy Dr Harper's book. I think it's one of the best and most important books on quantum out there right now. This lady knows her stuff. And, I might add, for a Chinese reader, she doesn't waste words, which I appreciated.”

She winked at Kate, who for once in her life went very silent and blushed a bit. The facilitator woke up and turned on his mic.

“Well there you have it folks. Maybe not what we had planned but always a pleasure to have Dr Xi with us. Copies of Dr Harper's book are available outside in the lobby. I think we have time for one question?”

He looked around, a lot of familiar faces. Then he saw someone he hadn't seen in years. An old friend, he looked different, smaller now. He was gingerly raising his hand.

“Ah yes Dr Stiven, can we get him a mic please. Dr Stiven was PhD imperial and now tech lead at CH Gaming, we haven't seen you for a while John, some great stuff coming out of CHG please do go ahead.”

A thin faced man stood up and took the mic. He looked around the room nervously and spoke cautiously. 

“I think what you both say is completely valid. Valid and important. You should all listen to them, all of you. I will say this now, it is even more than you both say. Everyone please listen, please. If we consider recent experiments showing negative time events and retro causality. I can't say this, it's not safe, she is listening. I'm sorry everyone, I'm sorry. I’m so so sorry.” 

His hands were shaking so much he dropped the mic. 

“Ummm ok can someone go check on Dr Stiven please. He seems to be having a tough time right now. Let's wrap this up shall we. Thanks again to our two academic super stars here today.”  

There was a thunderous round of applause. Dr John Stiven was sitting down, he seemed to be having a panic attack. People were with him. 

Dr Xi was bounding off the stage, Kate caught up to her with a few sharp pulls on her wheels, the wheelchair rugby was paying off. 

“Hey, thanks for the shout-out on the book. You didn't need to do that.”

“Oh I meant it, I read it on the plane over here. I don't waste words or time on people or ideas not worth the effort. Glad to have met you. I have a call with my CEO now, we should catch up another time Kate.”

She bounded off the stage not waiting for a response. Several people tried to get hold of her as she went, she smiled and waved them away, polite but firm. Kate spoke her words to herself. It was the only time she was shy.

“A date, a date with a famous and gorgeous genius, yeah I would love that. In my dreams.” 

She wheeled herself off the stage alone, its been so lonely since. Ah you need to stop thinking about her. She will never change. Not for you, not for anyone.