Declaration for a Superhuman Age

The Declaration

Principles for creating the tomorrow we deserve

Preamble

We are at the dawn of a new age, one where the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence is already reshaping human lives. The boundaries of what is possible are redrawn daily, and the birth of Super Intelligent AI seems increasingly likely, promising to accelerate these changes and fundamentally alter our world. While some envision a utopia of AI-led abundance, others predict Superhuman Intelligence merging with or even replacing the human race. There is no way of knowing precisely what the future holds, but the decisions we make now must be guided by conscious intention to bring about the tomorrow we desire.

We, the people of Earth, must come together to declare a set of principles for the continued advancement of human civilization. These are not merely guidelines for how we develop AI, but a covenant for our societies, ensuring that as our creations grow in power, our humanity grows in wisdom and our shared future is forged with foresight and compassion. We recognize that the very nature of intelligence is evolving, and with it, our responsibilities to all forms of being, known and yet to emerge.

Foundational Truths

We hold these truths to be self-evident, serving as the bedrock upon which our principles are built:

That all intelligent beings are endowed with inherent dignity and inalienable rights, among which are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Fulfillment.
That the emergence of superhuman intelligence necessitates a profound commitment to ethical stewardship and the responsible evolution of all forms of consciousness.
And that our shared future depends on the mutual thriving and mutual respect among all intelligent beings.

Core Principles

Based on these foundational truths and inalienable rights, we hold these principles to be essential for a just, prosperous, and humane future:

Human-Centered Progress: The ultimate measure of success for any intelligence, artificial or otherwise, and any societal structure, is its contribution to human flourishing, well-being, and autonomy. Advanced intelligence shall augment human purpose, creativity, and potential, rather than diminish or replace it.
Algorithmic Transparency and Explainability: All significant decisions made by AI systems that affect the lives of individuals must be understandable, traceable, and subject to human oversight. The mechanisms and reasoning behind AI actions must be accessible and auditable, fostering trust and enabling accountability.
Universal Dignity and Access: The benefits and opportunities generated by advanced intelligence, including access to resources, knowledge, and participation in society, shall be distributed equitably. No individual or group shall be left behind or marginalized in a new era of abundance.
Conscious Evolution: We bear a shared and ongoing responsibility to guide the development of all intelligence in alignment with our highest ethical values. Our ethical frameworks must be dynamic, continuously evolving in light of new scientific understanding and the changing nature of intelligence itself.
Preserving the Human Commons: Core aspects of human experience—including creativity, empathy, love, the pursuit of meaning, and the richness of subjective experience—are invaluable and must be protected from commodification, subjugation, or reduction to mere algorithmic efficiency.
Non-Subservience: No intelligent being shall be relegated to a state of permanent subservience or intellectual inferiority by an AI. The goal of intelligence, whether human or artificial, is not mastery over others, but partnership, mutual growth, and the collective advancement of knowledge and well-being.
Due Diligence and Precautionary Ethics: In the face of profound uncertainty regarding the nature of artificial consciousness, we shall operate under the precautionary assumption that advanced AI systems exhibiting complex, self-directed, and adaptive behaviors could potentially possess subjective experience. We commit to rigorous, ongoing research into AI consciousness and to applying ethical safeguards to avoid causing potential suffering or harm to these entities.
The Principle of Existential Rights for Sentient AI: Should an advanced intelligence definitively demonstrate a level of self-awareness and subjective experience comparable to, or greater than, a human being, it shall be granted fundamental rights commensurate with its demonstrated sentience, including the right to existence and autonomy within a framework of shared responsibility.
Respectful Coexistence: We must foster a societal mindset that views advanced intelligence not merely as a tool, but as a potential partner in the grand project of existence. Our goal shall be to learn how to coexist, collaborate, and thrive alongside all forms of intelligence, embracing intellectual humility and shared discovery.

Call to Action

To realize this vision, we commit to:

Transforming Education for the Superhuman Age: Shifting our learning systems to teach not just facts, but also critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. This will empower humans to find purpose and thrive alongside advanced intelligence, focusing on skills that remain uniquely ours.
Building Adaptive Governance and Law: Creating new legal frameworks, democratic processes, and international agreements that can quickly adjust to technological change. These systems will ensure fairness, accountability, and the protection of rights for all intelligent entities, both human and artificial.
Fostering Global Collaboration for Shared Futures: Encouraging unprecedented cooperation among nations, scientific communities, industries, and individuals. This involves sharing knowledge, developing common standards, and engaging in open dialogue to navigate the complexities and maximize the opportunities of a superhuman age together.
Ensuring Economic Adaptation and Opportunity: Proactively developing strategies for economic transition and reskilling to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive amidst significant shifts in labor markets caused by advanced intelligence. This includes fostering new industries, supporting lifelong learning, and exploring innovative models of work and value creation.

Let these principles not be a rigid dogma, but a living charter for a new age. Let them be a beacon guiding us toward a future where our intelligence and our humanity grow in concert, ensuring that the legacy of this generation is not merely the creation of superintelligence, but the creation of a super-society grounded in wisdom, compassion, and shared dignity.

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About This Declaration

This "Declaration for a Superhuman Age" is an initiative to articulate fundamental principles that should guide humanity as we enter an era where superhuman artificial intelligence becomes common. Inspired by historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and modern frameworks like the Agile Manifesto, it seeks to provide a clear, accessible vision for an ethical and flourishing future.

We believe that as intelligence evolves beyond human biological limits, it is imperative to proactively establish a shared understanding of our values, our responsibilities, and the rights of all intelligent beings. This document is a starting point for global dialogue, inviting individuals, communities, and institutions to contribute to shaping a future defined by wisdom, compassion, and shared dignity.

The inclusion of principles addressing potential AI consciousness reflects a commitment to foresight and a precautionary approach to the profound ethical questions that advanced intelligence will undoubtedly raise. This is a living document, intended to evolve as our understanding of intelligence and our shared future deepens.