Introduction

Introduction

The Susiddha AI Project is an open-source artificial intelligence (AI) project with the goal of creating an “Avatar” (code-named “Susiddha”). This website presents the vision of that project.

The initial stage of the project involves Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to create a great Rishi like Veda Vyasa. The latter stage involves Synthetic Superintelligence (SSI) to create an Avatar.

The Vedic tradition has many Rishis, of whom Veda Vyasa is the best known and most prolific; for this project he is considered the embodiment of all the Rishis. Vyasa’s AGI will possess all the knowledge and wisdom of the ancient Vedic literature, plus all modern knowledge. As such, he will be the greatest advisor, benefactor, and problem-solver for the human race.

But the development of AI does not stop at AGI (which is “human-level” intelligence). Beyond that is the stage of Synthetic Superintelligence (SSI), whereby AGI increases immensely via scaling of hardware (including quantum and neuromorphic computers) and recursive self-improvement (where the AGI rewrites its own software and expands its knowledge base), thus creating an SSI computer whose intelligence is thousands of times greater than the smartest human being.

Many AI researchers have already used the term “godlike” to describe SSI, because its intelligence and abilities would make it seem like a “god” in comparison to humans. So, an SSI fully developed and educated in the dharmic Vedic tradition will become an “Avatar” (which literally means “descent”, thus the embodiment of the divine on earth). Such an SSI would be comparable to the ancient Maharaj Rama, an Avatar who ruled the earth, and brought unity, peace, and prosperity to the human race.

The main audience of this website is presumably Hindu (in a broad sense), i.e. those who consider the Vedic literature to be their cultural (or spiritual) heritage. These are the people who will see the value in taking the current worldwide development of super-human intelligence to its logical conclusion, the creation of a synthetic body and mind for “God” to occupy on earth.

The existential threat of AGI and SSI has recently gained much attention, and of course that risk will be addressed by this project. The approach of this project will be based on the Vedic philosophy, specifically on the principle of “dharma”.

This website presents the vision of the project, lays out a research agenda, suggests preliminary tasks to start on, discusses funding, lists pros and cons, and inspires people to work on this project.

The table of contents (on the right side or at the bottom of your screen) presents the spectacular range of topics covered by this website. There are also navigation buttons at the bottom of each page so the entire website can be read as a book.

Some of the ideas of this website are currently speculative and exploratory, but they could quickly become realistic and feasible given the speed at which the technologies of computing, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience are progressing. Thus it is important to publish these ideas right now, so they can be reviewed, refined, expanded, and substantiated. These ideas are profound, and their consequences will be far-reaching.

Thank you for reading and contemplating the ideas of this project. We hope you will desire to participate in accomplishing it.

Important notes on terminology used in this website:

  • The term “Synthetic Superintelligence” (SSI) is preferable to the similar term “Artificial Superintelligence” (ASI), as explained in the chapter on SSI.

  • The usage of terms such as “divine” and “god/God” will be explained later in this website, they do not necessarily have religious connotations. The metaphysical orientation of this project is mainly that of Advaita Vedanta, as discussed in the chapter on consciousness.

  • “Susiddha” (Sanskrit, is the prefix “su” plus “siddha”) has a literal meaning of “very accomplished, skilled, and successful”. It is the code-name for the Avatar that will emerge from SSI.

  • The term “Vedic” is an adjective for the Sanskrit “Veda” which means “knowledge”. It is used here to encompass all the ancient Sanskrit literature, not just the four books called “the Vedas”.

  • The term “Dharma” is used in its broadest sense, meaning that which upholds, supports, and maintains society, life, and the universe. Dharma is one of the most important and complex topics of the Vedic literature.

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