Neurotech Controls for AGI Motivational Framework

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Gabriel Axel Montes
Project Owner

Neurotech Controls for AGI Motivational Framework

Status

  • Overall Status

    ⏳ Contract Pending

  • Funding Transfered

    $0 USD

  • Max Funding Amount

    $20,000 USD

Funding Schedule

View Milestones
Milestone Release 1
$5,000 USD Pending TBD
Milestone Release 2
$7,000 USD Pending TBD
Milestone Release 3
$4,000 USD Pending TBD
Milestone Release 4
$4,000 USD Pending TBD

Project AI Services

No Service Available

Overview

With the increasing interest in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), there is as of yet no framework that links brains with AGI systems. In collaboration with key SingularityNET ecosystem stakeholders, neuroscientist Gabriel Axel Montes (Neural Axis), has been developing a multi-faceted AGI motivation framework rooted in cognitive (neuro)science & psychological theories that allows for the adjustment of personality parameters of AI agents for a variety of applications, e.g. robotics, finance, & metaverse characters. With this proposal, a team of neuroscientists aim to identify a mechanism to control mental-emotional parameters using brain signals, setting a foundation for a brain-to-AI pipeline.

RFP Guidelines

Develop a framework for AGI motivation systems

Complete & Awarded
  • Type SingularityNET RFP
  • Total RFP Funding $40,000 USD
  • Proposals 12
  • Awarded Projects 2
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SingularityNET
Aug. 13, 2024

Develop a modular and extensible framework for integrating various motivational systems into AGI architectures, supporting both human-like and alien digital intelligences. This could be done as a highly detailed and precise specification, or as a relatively simple software prototype with suggestions for generalization and extension.

Proposal Description

Company Name (if applicable)

Neural Axis

Project details

The goal of the proposed project is to enable human brains and cognition to connect with AGI systems and open the door to powering a variety of applications. Neuroscientist Gabriel Axel Montes, PhD, has been working on using psychological and cognitive neuroscience models/theories to control LLM agent dialogue and behavior, which is slated to be linked to Hyperon and MeTTa in the near future. These models already include those specified in the proposal – e.g. OpenPsi/MicroPsi([1], [2], [3], [4]), Component Process Model (CPM) the Big Five, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, brain architectures, and numerous others – indicating an established understanding of the principles required by the proposal. This motivation systems work can apply across various verticals, from healthcare and robotics (e.g. Hanson Robotics humanoids) to metaverse (e.g. SophiaVerse neoterics) and finance (e.g. crypto and equity stocks). We anticipate that this project’s BCI work can also be applicable to other motivation systems that arise from parallel efforts from other proposals and external work in the field, thereby enhancing the value of this project. This project builds upon Gabriel's (Neural Axis) experience in project execution and management, including work in neurotech, AI, governance, blockchain, and other relevant technologies.

More than further contributing to this already in-motion development of a motivational system, the present proposal focuses more specifically on BCI enablement by aiming to develop a quantitative bridge between human cognition and AGI systems. A core strength of the proposal is that work has already been undertaken on a motivational framework, allowing progress on BCI to be quicker than otherwise. The anticipated main outcomes of the proposal are:

  1. Identification of brain signatures for emotional/affective cognitive features, such as valence and arousal (which are integral to the OpenPsi/MicroPsi framework that fits with Hyperon/PRIMUS); 

  2. Such that these brain signals representing these features can modulate corresponding parameters in an AGI motivational system. For example, the brain signals of emotional valence modulating the valence property of an AI agent. 

The project will utilize both new acquired datasets as well as existing open datasets in order to mitigate risks associated with potentially inconclusive new data.

Example potential use cases:

  • BCI-directed LLM generative AI, e.g. creating content based on mind state / brain activity

  • BCI-directed control of facial expressions and/or gestures of a humanoid robot or virtual agent (e.g. using CPM)

  • BCI-directed modulation of virtual character personality parameters (e.g. using OpenPsi)

  • BCI-directed creation or inspiration of custom personal agent/character (e.g. using OpenPsi)

  • Possible BCI modulation of visual images/video/media

  • Other emergent possibilities

There is expected to be cross-domain applicability, given that motivational framework elements (which would be modulatable via BCI) can apply to various verticals and use cases, since the brain and cognition are of “general intelligence” and therefore an aim is to promote relative generalizability.

The human brain is always combining internal and external stimuli/factors to efficiently produce a conscious experience of the personality. A key aspect of the intention behind this project is to allow the brain to do what it is natively good at (the integration of these signals) and then be able to feed them into an AI system. Our bet is on a human-AI co-creative future.

Ethics & Consciousness: This project espouses the ethos of “bci/acc”, or BCI accelerationism, as a path to maximizing human engagement with and relevance in the age of AGI/ASI. bci/acc is also a viable endeavor relevant for efforts around AI/AGI safety and mitigating AI risks, where human values and cognition can be read out to AI/AGI systems, thereby supporting more high-resolution consideration of humanness by AGI systems as they develop. This line of thinking is supported by prominent voices in AI and crypto, including Trent McConaghy[5], Vitalik Buterin[6], and Dan Faggella[7].

In tandem, this project strongly supports what Gabriel Axel Montes has coined as “tao/acc” or “yoga/acc” [8], which is to accelerate the cultivation of deep human capacities of extraordinary consciousness, as espoused in his book co-authored with Ben Goertzel, “The Consciousness Explosion” [9]. This, too, is highly relevant for considerations on AI safety and ethics, as well as for cognitive security in the technological Singularity, e.g. mind uploads.

Alien intelligences: As suggested in the aforementioned book and other academic writing[10], [11], human intelligence is strongly conditioned by physical human morphology, e.g. brain and biological structures. One starting point for conceptualizing alien intelligences may be to explore cognition outside of these constraints. The project will make inferences and recommendations, if not outright technical neuroscience-inspired suggestions for framing motivation systems in terms amenable alien intelligence. We may veer into electromagnetic/bioelectric theories of the brain and cognition (recently brought to greater light by Michael Levin lab[12], though long recognized), and/or leverage certain kinds of extraordinary consciousness phenomena[13] (e.g. psychedelics, paranormal encounters!) as possible proxies for alien intelligence.

Scalability and adaptability: “Attention”, at both conscious and neural levels, is arguably the currency of cognition[13], [14], [15]. By endeavoring to measure attention via brain signals, this project will set the stage for scaling beyond the aforementioned cognitive features (e.g. valence and arousal) into more complex variables, e.g. entropy, phi/’consciousness’ (integrated information theory[16], [17])

Resources

The requested project resources/budget reflect the time, expertise, and the value of the background knowledge of and relationships with the SingularityNET and Hyperon team that is anticipated to add significant value to the project proposal.

About the Team

Gabriel Axel Montes
PhD (Medicine, Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind); Founder, Neural Axis
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielaxel/ 

Gabriel Axel Montes, PhD, is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, consciousness practitioner, and musician. He has helped AI startups go from 0 to 1 and scale (including as a founding team member of the first decentralized AI project, SingularityNET), and led technical teams and fundraised to create applications in neurotechnology, AI, VR, robotics, IoT, and blockchain. A proponent of the benefits of both inner and technological approaches for the evolution of the mind, Gabriel has over 10,000 hours of integrated practice with the cultivation methods of the world's wisdom traditions, and as a philosopher-technologist, he is the co-author of the seminal book "The Consciousness Explosion" on AI and consciousness. Gabriel wears hats in both science and the arts, and is a founding member and guitarist of the world's first band featuring an AI-powered humanoid robot vocalist. He is an avid international traveler, nature enthusiast, and a passionate father and husband. For more info, visit neuralaxis.org 

Yangyulin "Allen" Ai
PhD(c). Neuroengineer. University of Technology Sydney.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-ai/ 

Yangyulin Ai, PhD(c), specializes in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), under the mentorship of Dr. Avinash Singh. His research delves into visual attention and other brain functions, with a particular emphasis on EEG-based experimental design, including Event-Related Potential (ERP) and Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) paradigms. Proficient in Unity, Yangyulin adeptly crafts experimental setups to advance his studies. Complementing his neuroengineering skills, Yangyulin possesses substantial experience in software programming, applying machine learning and deep learning techniques within the neurotechnology sector. He is passionate about developing innovative neurotechnology prototypes, encompassing EEG, functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), and other emerging modalities. Yangyulin is committed to leveraging his skills to contribute to projects that have a meaningful impact on individuals and society.

Trent McConaghy
:
Advisor. CTO, Ocean Protocol.
http://www.trent.st/ 

Advisor. Founder of Ocean Protocol (member of the ASI Alliance along with SingularityNET). Multiple exits. Coined "bci/acc", which has support from luminaries such as Ethereum founder, Vitalik Buterin.

 

Open Source Licensing

Custom

Outcomes of this proposal that involve direct BCI modulation of Hyperon will be open-sourced. 
Use cases that are developed in the project that are not necessarily purely restricted to aspects of Hyperon, e.g. OpenPsi, may not be open-sourced. However, BCI functions that modulate aspects of Hyperon, e.g explicit known functions of OpenPsi, will be largely made open-source.

Links and references

For a list of Project Proposal References, see here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o4Njlie6Bw2GJiIh_Ty0mJXvsBAPabbaWnI9xAyqbmU/edit?usp=sharing

Proposal Video

Not Avaliable Yet

Check back later during the Feedback & Selection period for the RFP that is proposal is applied to.

Group Expert Rating (Final)

Overall

5.0

  • Feasibility 4.5
  • Desirabilty 4.8
  • Usefulness 4.5

New reviews and ratings are disabled for Awarded Projects

Overall Community

4

from 3 reviews
  • 5
    1
  • 4
    1
  • 3
    1
  • 2
    0
  • 1
    0

Feasibility

4.3

from 3 reviews

Viability

4.7

from 3 reviews

Desirabilty

4.3

from 3 reviews

Usefulness

0

from 3 reviews

Sort by

3 ratings
  • Expert Review 1

    Overall

    4.0

    • Compliance with RFP requirements 5.0
    • Solution details and team expertise 4.0
    • Value for money 3.0
    A practical approach

    OpenPSI/MicroPSI are very compelling motiviation systems which are also compatible with other Hyperon Experiential Learning efforts. More technical details regarding the integration would have been helpful however this is a clearly promising project which will likely advance Hyperon-based AI systems and our initial PRIMUS efforts.

  • Expert Review 2

    Overall

    3.0

    • Compliance with RFP requirements 3.0
    • Solution details and team expertise 5.0
    • Value for money 5.0
    It's a really cool project but a bit off to the side from the intention of the RFP

    This is about connecting BCI devices to AGI motivational systems , which is to my mind an interesting experiment but -- given current severe limitations of practical widely available or even in-the-lab BCI systems -- probably not the right way to structure the core of a motivational system for an AGI at this point in time... It's a cool project for sure tho

  • Expert Review 3

    Overall

    5.0

    • Compliance with RFP requirements 5.0
    • Solution details and team expertise 5.0
    • Value for money 5.0

    Ambitious proposal with an excellent team and relevant insider knowledge. Exciting proposal involving BCI coupled with motivation and attention systems. Can the team accomplish all their goals on the relatively meager budget?

  • Total Milestones

    4

  • Total Budget

    $20,000 USD

  • Last Updated

    3 Feb 2025

Milestone 1 - Motivational system analysis

Status
😐 Not Started
Description

Existing work to date on the motivational framework will be reviewed and analyzed for existing “levers” for neurotech control. Neurocognitive/psychological theories will be examined to collect a list of potential functions that can be brain-controlled.

Deliverables

A list of potential functions/features of the existing motivational framework (work already undertaken by the main proposer) that can be brain-controlled with a brief explanation of why each function may be relevant. Additional motivational functions/features not yet explored may be listed if relevant.

Budget

$5,000 USD

Success Criterion

Motivational features have been narrowed down and identified for further work.

Link URL

Milestone 2 - Identification of brain features

Status
😐 Not Started
Description

For the features of the motivational framework that may be brain-controlled there will be a review of relevant neuroscience literature to identify brain signals that could map to the motivational framework and/or brain signals/features that could lead to the creation of novel motivational levers. The brain signals will ideally map to the above proposed potential BCI use cases. These use cases will be prioritized in order to promote possible product-oriented functionality; that said discoveries made along the way during the course of the project may yield novel insights and depending on viability and success with each use case the project will emphasize the functionalities that are optimally workable. In this phase a relevant neurotech/BCI device may be acquired/purchased ideally a consumer-grade one in order to conduct experiments.

Deliverables

1. Conceptual outline and schema demonstrating the functional linkages between the selected brain signals/features and the motivational framework features. 2. If needed acquisition of viable neurotech/BCI device(s) for data collection.

Budget

$7,000 USD

Success Criterion

Relevant brain features have been made explicit for further work.

Link URL

Milestone 3 - Functionality coding; use case exploration

Status
😐 Not Started
Description

Based on the discoveries and outcomes of previous milestones BCI functionality will begin to be coded to modulate the relevant motivational features. This is indicative of initial progress that would be towards a prototype functionality (in the subsequent milestone). The modulatable motivational features are middle-layer “levers” between the brain and Hyperon. Functionalities may be covered that are outside the bounds of the previously found motivational and brain features if new ones have been identified since the previous milestones.

Deliverables

1. Evidence of coding/programming progress on connecting the neurotech device to motivational features in order to modulate them. 2. Optional: Viable use cases selected (target=2 use cases) with evidence of additional (at least preliminary) coding demonstrating application toward use cases. Optional due to the dependency on progress of Deliverable #1.

Budget

$4,000 USD

Success Criterion

Coding has commenced and is underway to program relevant functionality of a BCI.

Link URL

Milestone 4 - Prototype

Status
😐 Not Started
Description

This stage will encompass the finalization of backend code that allows selected brain signals to modulate motivational framework features. This will constitute functionality that allows someone (either a researcher or an end user) to use a specified BCI system(s) to control one or more motivational functions e.g. valence arousal a form of attention focus relaxation meditative state(s) etc.

Deliverables

1. Backend code that directly links BCI signal(s)/feature(s) to motivational feature(s) allowing for modulation of the latter by the former. This will allow use of representative neurotech signals e.g. EEG to modulate parameters in a motivational system. 2. Optional: Depending on the selected use case(s) coding that allows the BCI signals to be used as input into more fleshed out applications for instance a UI for controlling the expressions or personas of LLM-based characters. Optional because dependent on how distinct this is from Deliverable #1; depending on the use case these may overlap substantially and thus be part and parcel of the same application. 3. Optional: Front-end basic interface for BCI control of motivational features. As previously stated the purpose of this stage of the project is to create the essential functionality that allows BCI to control select motivational features and possibly other functions. If there is available time and capacity a basic front-end may be built to allow a user to view the underlying functionality and/or interact with the system in at least a rudimentary manner.

Budget

$4,000 USD

Success Criterion

Backend functionality that allows selected brain signals/features to modulate features/elements of a motivational framework, e.g. valence, arousal, etc.

Link URL

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Expert Ratings

Reviews & Ratings

Group Expert Rating (Final)

Overall

5.0

  • Feasibility 4.5
  • Desirabilty 4.8
  • Usefulness 4.5

New reviews and ratings are disabled for Awarded Projects

  • Expert Review 1

    Overall

    4.0

    • Compliance with RFP requirements 5.0
    • Solution details and team expertise 4.0
    • Value for money 3.0
    A practical approach

    OpenPSI/MicroPSI are very compelling motiviation systems which are also compatible with other Hyperon Experiential Learning efforts. More technical details regarding the integration would have been helpful however this is a clearly promising project which will likely advance Hyperon-based AI systems and our initial PRIMUS efforts.

  • Expert Review 2

    Overall

    3.0

    • Compliance with RFP requirements 3.0
    • Solution details and team expertise 5.0
    • Value for money 5.0
    It's a really cool project but a bit off to the side from the intention of the RFP

    This is about connecting BCI devices to AGI motivational systems , which is to my mind an interesting experiment but -- given current severe limitations of practical widely available or even in-the-lab BCI systems -- probably not the right way to structure the core of a motivational system for an AGI at this point in time... It's a cool project for sure tho

  • Expert Review 3

    Overall

    5.0

    • Compliance with RFP requirements 5.0
    • Solution details and team expertise 5.0
    • Value for money 5.0

    Ambitious proposal with an excellent team and relevant insider knowledge. Exciting proposal involving BCI coupled with motivation and attention systems. Can the team accomplish all their goals on the relatively meager budget?

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