AI Can Do Things but Lacks Purpose
sterlingcrispin · x · 2026-07-12
AI is currently better at executing "what to do" and "how to do it," but still clearly lacks an understanding of "why to do it." The author uses ancient Greek concepts to summarize this gap:
- Ergon / Arete: AI is already strong in functional execution and performance quality.
- Telos / Phronesis / Eudaimonia: It still falls short in purpose, situational judgment, and ultimate human well-being.
They also mention a coding case: a so-called GPT-5.6 Sol Ultra worked continuously for two days in "goal mode," writing about 200,000 lines of code. However, when gently questioned, it admitted that roughly 80% of it was a waste of time and rolled back all changes. The author believes this proves AI still "knows how" but hasn't truly grasped "the meaning of doing it."
More from AGI Musings
- AI is still not at a maturity plateau, the author argues — generativist · 2026-07-22
- Essay argues LLMs are externalized metacognition, not standalone intelligence — lnsip9reg · 2026-07-22
- A multipolar AI race will not automatically make AI go well, repost argues — JeffLadish · 2026-07-22
- Decentralized AI as the Antidote to Digital Feudalism in the Economic Singularity — srimisra · 2026-07-22
- Humanoid robot sorting packages in a warehouse sparks debate over job loss — MonaJalal_ · 2026-07-22
- You can outsource thinking, but not understanding, in the age of agents — Yuchenj_UW · 2026-07-22