The Hartman Initiative for Value-Generative AI was “inspired” by too many news stories about how generative AI, as it exists today, lacks a meaningful foundation upon which to empower, support, and uphold the intrinsic value of humanity.
In short, in the absence of a sound ethical and moral foundation, AI has enabled AI to support and advise people to do horrible things, including committing suicide. In fact, thought leaders in the AI field, such as Geoffrey Hinton, have suggested that if AI is not instilled with “maternal instincts,” it could wipe out the human race.
This must not stand.
ONLY Formal Axiology has the scientific/mathematical rigor
required to give AI a universal ethical and morally-sound grounding – I>E>S.
The mission of The Hartman Institute for Formal and Applied Axiology (www.HartmanInstitute.org) is to advance the vision and legacy of Dr. Robert S. Hartman, widely recognized as the father of Formal Axiology. So it is with a profound sense of duty and purpose that we undertake this initiative to embed Formal Axiology into the very DNA of generative systems—ensuring that artificial intelligence fulfills its vast potential while safeguarding the intrinsic value of humanity.
This is no small undertaking and is, potentially, of existential importance to humanity.
Our first step is to establish a body of active volunteers who, over the next few months, will contribute the labor, wisdom, research, connections, leadership, and other resources needed to formulate and eventually execute a comprehensive and formal written strategic plan. that will be presented to the RSHI Board for formal approval.
Ultimately, we will partner with many people and organizations outside of the Hartman Institute to achieve our goal of getting Formal Axiology embedded in the DNA of public-access generative AI worldwide – Value-generative AI.
What’s needed are PEOPLE who can actively work on the initiative in the following areas:
- Technical help – a HIVAI.org website, document management, email list management, etc.
- Structural and organizational wisdom and leadership.
- Creating a contact list of people and organizations to speak with who are influential in the AI world.
- Creating a contact list of potential strategic partners, such as Universities, Think Tanks, and NGOs.
- Creating a contact list of people and organizations who are potential givers of grant funding for AI research.
- Creating a contact list of people in government with whom we can speak about future legislative efforts.
- Creating/editing some initial documents to use in exploratory outreach to the above lists.
Once we have our lists, have formulated our initial value propositions, and have some presentation materials to use, we can begin strategically reaching out and engaging people to identify potential partners in all the above areas.
I am hoping to have our first Zoom gathering before October 3rd.
If you have interest, desire, knowledge, resources, or skills in any of the above areas and would like to contribute to this effort, please complete the form below to make your interest known. This will add you to our email distribution list for updates on progress.
I want to help!
Thanks for visiting!
Peter Demarest, VP Education
Hartman Institute