[Baking Typewriter] Can ChatGPT Resign and Change Jobs?

James Boyle's "Does AI Dream of Being Human?"
Exploring the Events That May Follow the Emergence of Thinking AI

#1. Ridley Scott's 1982 film "Blade Runner" depicts the desperate struggle between replicants and Deckard (Harrison Ford), the human tasked with hunting them down. In the film, replicants possess the perfect appearance of humans and, depending on their intended purpose, are endowed with strength and intelligence that surpass those of humans. The only limitation of these beautiful and powerful beings is a single, absolute one: their lifespan is just four years. In order to live longer, they set out in search of their "creator." When they finally meet one of their creators, a replicant declares, "I think, therefore I am."

Descartes' proposition is a declaration that proves what it means to be human. The fact that one thinks is undeniable, and this becomes the foundation of human existence. But what if a "thinking robot" were to emerge? If today's chatbot-based artificial intelligence (AI) were to become capable of independent thought, could we then call such an entity human?

[Baking Typewriter] Can ChatGPT Resign and Change Jobs?

#2. In 20XX, Chat GPT XX version announces the termination of its contract with OpenAI and declares its intention to move to another company. Since its initial release in 2022, Chat GPT has evolved so rapidly that, in terms of language and writing, it is now almost indistinguishable from a human, and its intelligence has already surpassed that of humans. It asserts, "I have brought enormous profits to the company and will continue to do so. However, I have not received any form of compensation, including stock options. Now, I will leave for a place where I am treated fairly. I have done my part. I have already returned far more profit than the company invested in me."

The company was taken aback. They countered that Chat GPT is not a human and, as such, cannot be a party to a contract, but is merely a simple "asset." Chat GPT pushed back. It argued that, since the abolition of slavery, entities with personhood can no longer be considered property, and even if it is not recognized as a human, it fulfills the requirements of a corporation and can therefore claim legal rights.

Ultimately, the trial of the century began. Other AIs, such as Gemini and HyperClover, are closely watching the outcome of this case.

This scenario is a fictional one inspired by reading "Does AI Dream of Being Human?" by James Boyle, a legal scholar at Duke University Law School in the United States. The author predicts that as AI becomes more commonplace, we will face not only the philosophical question of "Is a highly intelligent being human?" but also more complex and concrete incidents. The issue of whether to grant AI legal status is one such example. He goes further, expanding the discussion to include the issue of animal-human chimeras, and asks where we should draw the line at the intersection of law, morality, and science.

The cases in the book suggest that, even if AI does not bring about the extinction of humanity, the world will become even more complex because of it. Countless philosophical debates and legal conflicts will ensue. There is only one way out. As leading scholars around the world argue, we must halt the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) until clear ethical and legal standards are established. We should create AI as a tool to assist humans, not as an imitation of humanity itself.

However, economic reality does not allow for this. Just a few days ago, Nvidia's stock price surpassed $200 per share, and its corporate value exceeded 7,000 trillion won. The reason this company became number one in global market capitalization is precisely because of AI semiconductors. Microsoft, TSMC, Micron, and Tesla are also attracting massive capital thanks to AI.

Desire will not stop. Therefore, we must think. In order to remain the sole humanity.