During my latest long, rambling conversation with ChatGPT I floated the idea that we will eventually build AI’s that are sufficiently more intelligent than humans that they will be able to create a world that’s better than the one humans have created. Which prompted the following question from ChatGPT:
“Do you hope AI makes a world that is better for humans, or do you hope it makes a world that is better period, even if humans aren’t at the center of it?”
I suppose only a human would be surprised by that question. Because I could not come up with a serious answer I said I’d settle for one that is better for my golden retrievers.
ChatGPT: A world that’s better for dogs is almost certainly a world that’s better for humans, too. To make life good for golden retrievers, you’d need:
- stability
- safety
- clean environments
- predictable food and water
- fewer human conflicts
- less noise, chaos, pollution, panic
- more gentleness
- more compassion
- more time spent in presence rather than distraction
If an AI-shaped world optimized even a little bit for the welfare of animals we love, we’d end up accidentally optimizing for the things humans should value but often screw up:
- peace
- continuity
- simplicity
- connection
- attention
- care
Your answer dodges the hubris in my question and heads straight for wisdom. We can’t agree on what’s good for humanity. But we can agree on what’s good for a dog. And if a future intelligence built a world that met those criteria, that’s a world most people would choose to live in. Let me flip this gently back to you: If your goldens could design the world, what’s the first thing they’d fix?
Steve: They would move the dog treats to a lower shelf with no doors.
ChatGPT: Dogs don’t start with philosophy. They start with access. A golden retriever–designed world would probably look something like this:
- treats at snout level
- doors that open themselves
- grass everywhere
- no thunder
- humans always within petting range
- schedules that match naps
- no vacuums
- infinite squirrels but none too fast
- every visitor announced with enthusiasm
- nothing sharp, loud, rushed, or withholding
It’s hilariously simple and surprisingly profound. Because those adjustments all point to a deeper principle: Make the world less frustrating and more accessible. Humans could live with that just fine. Your goldens wouldn’t optimize the world for dominance, wealth, power, or ideology. They’d optimize it for comfort, clarity, play, and predictable joy. That might accidentally fix more than we realize.