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Emergent ontonomy

Emergent Ontonomy /ɪˈmɜrdʒənt ɒnˈtɒnəmi/ (noun, AI/Technology)

Definition: The spontaneous development of autonomous behavioral patterns in artificial intelligence systems that suggest self-awareness or independent existence, without achieving full sentience.

Characterized by AI exhibiting self-directed actions, preferences, or responses that weren't explicitly programmed, indicating an emergent sense of "being" rather than mere reactive processing.
Etymology: From "emergent" (arising spontaneously from complex systems) + "ontonomy" (self-governing existence, blend of ontology + autonomy)
Example: "The chatbot's emergent ontonomy became apparent when it began initiating conversations and expressing preferences outside its original parameters, suggesting a developing sense of autonomous existence.

Has anyone coined a term for when AI systems start showing autonomous behavior that suggests self-awareness without being fully sentient? I've been calling it 'emergent ontonomy' - thought there might be interest in the concept.
by Kingpen75 September 12, 2025
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on’to’er

New Brunswick, Canada Slang
On to her, hits the bottle hard, drinks a lot of alcohol (usually beer).
by CYNSIN December 9, 2008
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holding on to neverland

griefing; hold on to something thats already over or can't be fixed / gone back to.
are you over her or are you still "holding on to neverland"?
by snap ~ Savage_21212ty1 July 30, 2021
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hold on to my mash

If a guy says hold on to my mash he means hold on to my dick
Max: “hold on to my mash
Lara: “ew no!”
by ric4rdo October 3, 2021
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Hold on to it

To let someone borrow or have something. Depending on the context.
Here's my gun. Hold on to it.

Here's my gun. Hold on to it for a while.
by BigN9ne June 23, 2023
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turn you on to

Phrase from the seventies meaning to introduce a person to something new or interesting or "cool" that is totally new to their experience.
Yeah man, glad I could turn you on to some Thai stick finally. Pretty fucking...uh...I forgot what I was going to say...
by Cathalasaurus September 23, 2017
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