In the quest for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that works with us, rather than potentially against us, a fascinating idea has emerged: what if individuals could host a simple, machine-readable file on their personal domains, akin to a website’s robots.txt or an API’s api.json?
Think of it as a digital “user manual” for your interaction with AI. Imagine a file, perhaps named human_prefs.json, hosted on your domain. This file could contain clear, structured information about how you prefer to be addressed, your working hours, communication channels you favor, and even your boundaries – what topics you’d rather not discuss, or what level of directness you appreciate.
This concept isn’t about deep philosophical alignment on existential risks. It’s much more grounded, focusing on the day-to-day interactions that will likely define our relationship with increasingly sophisticated AI. For years, we’ve dealt with the frustration of AI assistants misunderstanding our intent or overstepping boundaries. This proposal offers a proactive way to guide that interaction.
Why this approach could be powerful:
- Personalization at Scale: Instead of a one-size-fits-all interaction model, AGI systems could dynamically adjust their behavior based on the
human_prefs.jsonfile associated with a recognized user or domain. This allows for a far more nuanced and respectful AI experience. - Empowering Individuals: It puts a degree of control directly into the hands of the user. You decide what preferences to share and how to frame them.
- Machine Readability: The “JSON” aspect is key. It means the data is structured, easily parsed by machines, and can be updated without needing complex natural language processing to interpret our intentions.
- Building Trust: By allowing individuals to define their parameters, it fosters a more transparent and trustworthy relationship with AI. It’s like setting expectations upfront, which is crucial in any relationship, human or artificial.
Consider a scenario where an AGI helping you manage your schedule. If your human_prefs.json specifies “prefer brief, bullet-point summaries for meeting recaps” and “avoid scheduling tasks before 9 AM on weekends,” the AI could immediately adapt its output and suggestions. Or, if it’s a creative AI assisting with writing, a preference for “avoiding overly casual slang” or “focusing on factual accuracy above all else” could guide its generative process.
This isn’t about creating a rigid set of rules that stifle AI’s capabilities, but rather about providing clear, actionable preferences that allow AI to serve us better and more harmoniously. It’s a practical step towards ensuring that as AI becomes more powerful, it also becomes more considerate of individual human needs and preferences. It’s an elegant solution that leverages existing web infrastructure to address a future challenge, making AI more of a collaborative partner and less of an unpredictable force.
As we move closer to AGI, innovative, practical solutions like this are vital for shaping a future where advanced technology enhances, rather than complicates, our lives.