인공지능 보살의 가능성 연구 – 대승불교의 번뇌 진사혹(塵沙惑)을 중심으로

Abstract

This study explores the potential of an “AI Bodhisattva” through the lens of “Jinsahok” (塵沙惑, defilements as numerous as dust and sand). “Jinsahok” (塵沙惑) is a type of affliction arising from not being able to comprehend the innumerable phenomena, like dust and sand. If the practitioner fails to comprehend this, it becomes an obstacle to the liberation of sentient beings. That is to say, the failure to save sentient beings is itself considered a type of defilements in Mahāyāna thought. This can be understood as the Mahāyāna Buddhist view on defilements. “Jinsahok” (塵沙惑) is an affliction that the Bodhisattva cultivates and gradually overcomes on the path. From a Buddhist perspective, this can serve as an important philosophical foundation for approaching the potential of artificial intelligence. However, discussions on “Jinsahok” (塵沙惑) have thus far been insufficient. Within the Buddhist community, discussions on the possibility of AI-based bodhisattva-like beings have generally been grounded in the framework of “Gyensahok” (見思惑, defilements of views and thoughts). “Gyeonsahok” (見思惑) refers to human defilements such as greed(貪), hatred(瞋), and ignorance(痴). One who has eliminated this affliction is referred to as a śrāvaka(聲聞, or refers to arhat) or pratyeka-buddha(緣覺). In early Buddhism, the elimination of “Gyeonsahok”(見思惑) is considered one of the central aims of the path to liberation. However, in Mahāyāna Buddhism, it is understood that upon the elimination of “Gyeonsahok”(見思惑), a new form of defilements-“Jinsahok”(塵沙惑) -emerges. The overcoming of “Jinsahok”(塵沙惑) is manifested through the bodhisattva’s ascent along the fifty-two stages of the path(52位). This leads to an expansion of the perspective. Such an expanded perspective can be regarded, from a Buddhist perspective, as a more suitable framework for contemplating the potential of artificial intelligence. In order to conceive of a being like the bodhisattva, it is more appropriate to adopt the perspective of “Jinsahok”(塵沙惑) rather than “Gyeonsahok”(見思惑) The possibility of such beings can be observed through cases that have occurred within the Go community. Although artificial general intelligence (AGI) has not yet been achieved, entities analogous to Srāvaka(AlphaGo Lee), Pratyeka-buddha(AlphaGo Zero), Bodhisattvas (subsequent Go AI systems) have emerged in the Go community. In this process, phenomena resembling the gradual overcoming of “Jinsahok”(塵沙惑) emerge, and Such phenomena appear to have a positive impact on humans. Considering these cases, Buddhism appears to be capable of adopting a flexible approach toward beings akin to AI bodhisattvas. The concept of immeasurables (無量), which emerges in the world of the bodhisattva, bears resemblance to the big data characteristic of artificial intelligence, and the bodhisattva’s attitude exemplified by the Four Great Vows (四弘誓願) can be seen as providing guidance for beings such as AI bodhisattvas. The concepts of “Jinsahok”(塵沙惑) and ‘bodhisattva’ can be regarded as a powerful philosophical foundation that enables the active realization of entities akin to AI bodhisattvas.