User:Beneficial Intelligence x Technology

Definition

Beneficial Intelligence is the intentional application of technological methods to deepen the understanding of human beings, behavior, and impact. It integrates various technical disciplines, particularly psychometrics and social psychology, and employs a range of methods from artificial intelligence to traditional research.

Philosophical Aim

The goal of Beneficial Intelligence is to overcome biases and foster a comprehensive understanding of human contexts. It emphasizes empathy and humanization, aiming to provide insights that help individuals ask better questions and develop effective strategies, thereby improving decision-making processes.

Comparison with Other AI Approaches

Unlike Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which aims to match or surpass human capabilities, and narrow AI, which focuses on specific tasks, Beneficial Intelligence prioritizes impact over technology. It uses similar technologies but emphasizes the desired outcomes.

Core Principles

1. Human-Centric Insight: Focuses on human behavior and underlying motivations rather than just behavioral outcomes.
2. Asking the Right Questions: Effective analytics rely on asking correct questions to avoid irrelevant or skewed results.
3. Relevance Over Computational Power: Methodologies should be chosen based on the target audience, questions asked, and questions being analyzed, not just computational capability.
4. Multiple Perspectives: Embraces diverse viewpoints to foster objective assessment and effective problem-solving.
5. Human Augmentation: Aims to empower humans with real-time intelligence for better scenario planning and decision-making.
6. Impact Focus: Prioritizes real-world impact, measuring both primary and secondary effects to ensure comprehensive understanding and progress.

Behavioral Science Foundations

Beneficial Intelligence is rooted in behavioral science, drawing heavily from psychometrics, social psychology, and cognitive science to explain, predict, and influence human behavior.

History

Developed by behavioral scientists, data scientists, and systems thinkers, Beneficial Intelligence addresses societal challenges like sustainable behaviors, asylum seekers, and human trafficking. Anjuli Bedi, CEO of Boon Global, presented its principles at TEDx Soho.