Naomi Saphra Writes on AI and the Uncanny
Researcher Naomi Saphra shares an essay on dissociation triggered by realistic AI outputs.
Naomi Saphra posted that reading messages and papers now feels dissociative and alien. She attributes the sensation to simulations that have exited the uncanny valley while carrying an unsettling quality along with them. Several academics replied to the post. Nathan Lambert called it relatable. Tuhin Chakrabarty quoted a line about machines becoming more human and humans more machine-like. Christopher Potts highlighted the phrase performing sincerity for nobody and its connection to Gricean norms. The linked essay is titled Life on the Uncanny Precipice.
I've been unsettled lately. Reading messages or papers feels like dissociating. Everything seems a bit alien, even if it's completely human. I've had a realization: When our simulations finally exited the Uncanny Valley, they brought the Uncanny with them.
Reactions
7 postsCP 
Christopher Potts@ChrisGPotts@nsaphra A wonderful essay! The phrase "performing sincerity for nobody" really resonates with me, as does the subtle normativity that you find in Grice. Thank you!
- likes: 12
- replies: 1
- bookmarks: 0
- reposts: 0
TC Tuhin Chakrabarty@TuhinChakrExcellent Essay from @nsaphra “While the machines become more human, the humans also become more machine.”
- likes: 9
- replies: 1
- bookmarks: 1
- reposts: 1
CT Chenhao Tan@ChenhaoTan@TuhinChakr @nsaphra This is exactly why I feel pessimistic about AI detection.
- likes: 2
- replies: 1
- bookmarks: 0
- reposts: 0
NL Nathan Lambert@natolambert@nsaphra very relatable, good post
- likes: 6
- replies: 0
- bookmarks: 0
- reposts: 0
NS Naomi Saphra@nsaphraI've been unsettled lately. Reading messages or papers feels like dissociating. Everything seems a bit alien, even if it's completely human. I've had a realization: When our simulations finally exited the Uncanny Valley, they brought the Uncanny with them.
- likes: 299
- replies: 11
- bookmarks: 184
- reposts: 53
SW