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)
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.
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
Get the Emergent ontonomymug.