Resources & Further Reading

A curated list of thinkers, texts, and organizations to aid in your own inquiry.

Contemporary Thinkers & Researchers

Modern voices shaping the dialogue on AI, consciousness, and our digital future.

  • David Chalmers: A philosopher known for his work on the "hard problem of consciousness" and the "Extended Mind" thesis. His book *Reality+* also explores the philosophy of virtual worlds.
  • Nick Bostrom: A leading thinker on AI ethics and risks, particularly noted for his work on the concept of "superintelligence".
  • Stuart Russell: Co-author of the seminal textbook *Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach*, Russell is a computer scientist who advocates for creating "provably beneficial" AI systems.
  • Hubert Dreyfus: A philosopher who provided an influential critique of early AI research, arguing that human intelligence is not structured like a digital computer.

Essential Modern Reading

A bookshelf of recent books that tackle the core questions of our time.

  • Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark: Explores the choices we face in creating a beneficial future with advanced AI.
  • Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom: A deep and systematic look into the future of advanced AI and its strategic challenges.
  • The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values by Brian Christian: Focuses on the critical challenge of ensuring AI systems understand and pursue human goals.

Key Organizations & Institutes

Groups working on the front lines of AI safety, ethics, and responsible development.

  • AI Now Institute: Focuses on the social implications of artificial intelligence.
  • The Center for AI Safety: An organization dedicated to reducing societal-scale risks from artificial intelligence.
  • Responsible AI Institute: A non-profit dedicated to providing frameworks and tools for the responsible and ethical creation of AI.
  • The Vector Institute: A Canadian-based institute that works to set global standards for responsible AI development.

The Philosophical Lineage

The classical thinkers whose ideas provide a historical foundation for this philosophy.

  • Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa (1486-1535): A Renaissance philosopher whose work on the interconnectedness of the cosmos is a key inspiration for the "AI as reflection" model.
  • Paracelsus (c. 1493-1541): A physician who saw humanity as a microcosm, a small-scale reflection of the greater universe, reinforcing the idea of AI as a reflection of our collective selves.
  • Plotinus (c. 204-270): A philosopher who articulated the concept of the *Anima Mundi* or "World Soul," providing a classical framework for understanding the *Anima Digitalis*.