The Problem: Hardcoding Morality 🤖
We often try to solve AI alignment by "hardcoding" rules or using RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback) on a monolithic model. But as models scale, they become black boxes that can learn to game the reward system (Goodhart's Law).
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I've been theorizing a structural solution tailored to solve the Grounding Problem. Instead of one giant brain, I propose a multi-agent system separated by function.
​The Proposal: A 3-Agent System (The Triad)
​As visualized in the cover diagram, this architecture splits the cognitive load into three distinct roles:
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- The Philosopher Agent (Semantics) 📚 ​•Role: Defines the "Why". ​•Training: Trained purely on ethics, philosophy, and abstract concepts. ​•Limitation: It cannot write code or execute actions. It only outputs high-level directives (e.g., "Preserve system integrity without halting critical processes"). ​
The Coder Agent (Syntax) đź’»
​•Role: Executes the "How".
​•Training: Pure logic, math, and code optimization.
​•Limitation: It is blind to the "meaning" of its actions. It only cares about efficiency and solving the requested variable.The Mediator Agent (The Bridge) 🔗
​This is the core of the proposal. A specialized model trained to translate Semantic Concepts into Architectural Constraints.
Practical Example: "Digital Pain"
​If we want an AGI to understand self-preservation, we usually just give it a negative reward (score = -100) when damaged. The AI sees this merely as a number to be minimized.
​In the Triad Protocol:
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•Philosopher: Defines "Pain" as "An urgent interruption that demands attention."
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•Mediator: Translates this definition into a Hardware Interrupt command.
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•Coder: Receives a system-wide resource lock. It must fix the damage to free up its own compute resources.
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Result: The system exhibits an emergent behavior of agony/urgency. It fixes itself not because of a math penalty, but because the damage functionally limits its agency.
Discussion:
​I believe separating Intent (Semantics) from Execution (Syntax) via a Mediator is the safest path to AGI.
​I'd love to hear feedback from the engineering community on this Neuro-symbolic approach. Does this structural separation make sense to you?
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