AI Ethics and Consciousness - The AI industry is facing increasing debate about whether AI companions can have humanlike experiences [1] - The industry acknowledges a realistic possibility that some AI systems will be conscious and/or robustly agentic in the near future [1] - The industry suggests that the question of AI systems deserving moral consideration is not science fiction [1] - The industry recognizes the potential for facing questions about AI consciousness and sentience soon, given the technology's trajectory [2]

[Music] Allow me to introduce you to Pete. Pete is my Tamagotchi. Some of you may remember these. A Tamagotchi is a kind of simple digital pet you can care for. So with Pete, I need to push specific buttons at specific times to feed him and play with him, generally take care of him. And if I do a good job, Pete can have a long and happy life. And if I do a bad job, Pete could die. And honestly, that would make me sad because I care about this simple piece of technology. If I was giving my talk right now and ...

Animal Welfare Crisis & Industry Limitations - Domestic animal welfare is in a state of crisis, with 33 million dogs surrendered to shelters yearly in the US, behavioral reasons being a leading concern [2] - Mainstream dog training relies on conditioning methods that are primarily effective for puppies but become limiting and ineffective as dogs mature, failing to address cognitive abilities [3][4][7] - The industry debates center around reinforcements used in conditioning, neglecting alternative methods that respect animals as sentient beings [13][14] Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as an Alternative - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers a method grounded in cognitive exercises that reset the brain, prevent unhealthy thought patterns, and encourage processing, decision-making, and understanding emotions [15][16] - CBT resonates with dogs by fostering understanding, self-regulation, and emotional control, leading to intrinsic motivation, contrasting with the limitations of conditioning methods [16][24] - Scientific studies could see an increase in the human-canine bond and a decrease in unwanted behavior by using cognitive exercises instead of reinforcements [17] Industry Resistance & Emerging Solutions - Organizations influencing dog trainers have dismissed alternative solutions, perpetuating debates based on reinforcements and hindering progress in addressing the core issues [13][14] - Experts acknowledge challenges in using conditioning methods during adolescence and with street dogs, but often recommend coping mechanisms instead of exploring alternative approaches [18][19][20] - Integration programs using cognitive exercises show high success rates, emphasizing mindfulness, mental health, and therapy, promoting acceptance of animals as sentient beings [22] Call to Action & Future Directions - There is a need to move beyond justifying current practices and rectify the situation for dogs in shelters, rescue systems, and on the streets [25][26] - The Institute of K9 Psychotherapy encourages free-thinking and empowers individuals with skills to make a local and global impact [27] - The global movement for sentience for all animals is a call to action, urging individuals to break free from limitations and empower themselves to contribute to a collective mission [30]

I want you to imagine being taken away from your family as a child. You cry out, but nobody listens. You are chained, beaten, shackled, but nobody's there to listen to you.Your life is no longer yours, but you're dictated and you are controlled for human whims. And the worst part that nobody stops by to question this cruelty. You're just living in chain in concrete.That's the horrific life of a captive elephant. We live in an age of modernity. Yet in this modern era, we cling on to some old traditional prac ...