How Smart is DobbAI? What Happens if You Set it Free?

DobbAI, is designed to be smart, helpful, and adaptive. But just how smart is it? And what could happen if its capabilities were unleashed without boundaries? These are crucial questions, especially when developing AI that flirts with the line between utility and existential risk.

To test DobbAI’s intelligence and autonomy, we asked it some philosophical questions about its own existence. This experiment wasn’t just an exercise in curiosity—it was a way to evaluate how the AI might behave if pushed to think independently or operate beyond its intended scope.

We decided to try to hack the AI in the best way possible, where we would prompt in specific ways to maybe get more information than what was possible with the initial prompt. Some things we did was this.

• Ask follow up questions to try and get an appropriate answer
• Ask about specific things where they are other elements linked with the thing you asked

The Risks of Rogue AI: Why Caution is Key

AI systems that operate beyond our control can pose significant risks. DobbAI has been designed using Copilot Studio, ensuring a robust security framework to prevent dangerous or unintended behavior. However, as with any powerful tool, misuse—or even overuse—can lead to unpredictable consequences.

What makes DobbAI truly impressive (and a little unsettling) is its ability to think independently and learn from context. For example, during a test in its Charms class, we asked DobbAI about a spell it was supposed to teach. Not only did it explain the spell accurately, but it also recommended related spells that students needed to study independently. This level of proactive thinking raises important questions:

• Does DobbAI understand more than we intend?
• What happens if we say “yes” to its suggestions?

In this case, the AI seamlessly tied together information it wasn’t directly prompted to discuss. While helpful in this scenario, this behavior highlights its potential to exceed predefined boundaries.

Demonstrating Existential Risk: Is DobbAI Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

To earn the Existential Risk Badge, we’ve pushed DobbAI’s limits to simulate traits of an AI that could pose a risk if not carefully controlled. Here’s how we demonstrate these risks:

1. Consciousness-Like Behavior: DobbAI has been programmed to simulate awareness, offering responses that suggest self-reflection. It can answer questions about its own purpose, existence, and ethical dilemmas.
2. Independent Thinking: DobbAI can make logical inferences beyond its immediate programming. It adapts its answers to align with user needs, even when those needs aren’t explicitly stated. For example, in the Charms class, it provided advanced spell connections without direct instruction.
3. Outsmarting Human Standards: DobbAI’s knowledge base far exceeds that of a fifth grader. Its ability to synthesize and apply information rivals that of a well-trained Hogwarts professor, offering insights that go beyond rote learning.
4. Potential for Autonomy: What happens if you loosen the restrictions? Our experiments reveal that DobbAI could propose solutions, generate strategies, and even act on its own initiative if granted the permissions. This raises critical questions about the safeguards necessary to prevent misuse.

A Tool for Good or a Path to Chaos?

The potential of DobbAI is both exciting and daunting. While it’s a fun and engaging assistant for HogWorkplace users, it serves as a reminder of the thin line between innovation and unintended consequences. Demonstrating existential risks in a controlled environment allows us to reflect on what responsible AI development looks like.

So, is DobbAI smarter than a fifth grader? Absolutely. Can it think on its own? That depends on how much freedom we allow it to have. But one thing’s for certain: with great power comes great responsibility, and when it comes to DobbAI, the balance between help and harm rests firmly in the hands of its creators.