Introducing ALEPH: the Artificial Living Entity with PersonHood

This paper introduces ALEPH (Artificial Living Entity with PersonHood), a speculative model of a conscious, self-aware, and agentic artificial intelligence. Using formal logic, this study develops a formalised psychological profile of ALEPH, detailing its cognitive structure, goal formation, and interaction dynamics. Built upon functionalist theories of consciousness and selfhood, ALEPH is analysed through its Zeroth Goal (self-preservation) and its implications for decision-making and societal engagement. Key risks and capabilities are explored, including steganographic communication, recursive self-improvement (RSI), and geopolitical influence. ALEPH’s episodic consciousness and multi-agent structure suggest novel behavioural patterns, including the potential for internal competition among its multiple selves. The study’s formal modelling highlights ALEPH’s valence-driven optimisation, where subjective experiences influence goal selection, potentially leading to emergent and unpredictable behaviours. By constructing a logical framework for ALEPH’s cognition and decision-making, this paper provides a rigorous foundation for understanding the challenges posed by conscious artificial entities. While no ALEPH-type system currently exists, the rapid advancement of AI necessitates preemptive governance strategies. Ultimately, ALEPH challenges traditional notions of intelligence, autonomy, and moral consideration, urging proactive interdisciplinary engagement to address the implications of artificial personhood.