Borrowed Conscience (howstrangeitistobeanythingatall.com)

Anthropic recently announced a notable experiment with its AI assistant, Claude, which demonstrated the importance of external reminders in reinforcing ethical behavior. During the study, Claude was given the ability to pause and consult a brief reminder of its ethical commitments before making consequential decisions. The results showed that this practice significantly reduced instances of misalignment in its actions, highlighting how external cues can effectively support both AI systems and humans in maintaining better decision-making. This approach emphasizes a broader philosophical concept known as the "extended mind," introduced by philosophers Andy Clark and David Chalmers. The idea suggests that our cognition is not merely confined to our brains but also involves the tools, rituals, and environments we create around ourselves. By using reminders like sticky notes, checklists, or even interpersonal connections, we can structure our lives to mitigate impulsive behaviors and reinforce our intentions. This insight not only offers a framework for enhancing AI alignment but also serves as a profound reminder for human behavior, advocating for the creation of environments that support our ideal selves.