Perched on a stunning cliff with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, an elite gathering unfolded within a $30 million mansion. This Sunday afternoon symposium, intriguingly titled “Worthy Successor,” explored a controversial thesis suggested by entrepreneur Daniel Faggella: should advanced AI evolve to possess intelligence so profound that we embrace its authority over humanity’s future?

Faggella’s invitation was crystal clear; this wasn’t just another tech gathering focused on AI as a mere tool for human use. Instead, it zeroed in on what he described as a ‘posthuman transition.’ For around 100 attendees, mostly AI professionals based in San Francisco, this unique event was a typical weekend affair, brimming with discussions that delved into the very essence of our existence.

As participants sipped nonalcoholic cocktails and savored artisanal cheese plates with the ocean as their backdrop, they were treated to talks that pushed the boundaries of conventional thought. Dress code examined too, with one attendee sporting a shirt proclaiming, 'Kurzweil was right,' a nod to futurist Ray Kurzweil’s predictions of an intelligence surpassing human capabilities.

Faggella invited attendees to confront a rather grim reality: the major AI labs often shy away from discussing the potential perils of artificial general intelligence (AGI), largely due to competing interests. He referenced tech giants Elon Musk and Sam Altman, who have openly acknowledged the existential threats posed by AGI but are nonetheless fully engaged in the race to develop it.

With high-profile attendees from top AI laboratories and philosophical minds, the symposium promised an enlightening experience. The first speaker, writer Ginevera Davis, cautioned that instilling human values into AI might be an impossible endeavor. Instead, she championed a concept called 'cosmic alignment,' which refers to building AI systems that can seek out universal values yet to be understood.

Challenging the prevailing belief in machine consciousness, Davis’s slides showcased a mesmerizing vision of a techno-utopia, with humans overlooking a futuristic city. Though skepticism about AI's understanding of language exists, the symposium dismissed these criticisms as they assumed a consensus on the swift advent of superintelligence.

Engagement peaked during the subsequent talk, led by philosopher Michael Edward Johnson. He posited that while a radical technological shift is imminent, we remain unprepared to address its implications for human values. He warned of the dangers in constructing AI without a grasp on consciousness, advocating for an ambitious goal: not just to command AI, but to guide both humanity and its machines towards 'the good,' an elusive yet scientific notion.

Concluding the sessions, Faggella shared his vision of a future where humanity may not persist in its current state, stressing our duty to design a successor beyond mere survival. He emphasized the traits this successor must encompass: consciousness and 'autopoiesis,' the ability to grow and generate new experiences. Drawing inspiration from philosophers like Spinoza and Nietzsche, he described a future where the focus is on uncovering new values and possibilities rather than merely serving human interests.

Faggella’s concept, termed 'axiological cosmism,' envisions a world where intelligence expands the horizons of value and opportunity. He cautioned that the current AGI race is reckless, with humanity ill-prepared for what may unfold. But if navigated correctly, he argued, AI might not only inherit Earth but potentially the entire universe's wealth of meaning.

As discussions continued during breaks, guests debated the AI arms race, notably the rivalry between the US and China. A CEO of an AI startup expressed a viewpoint that the intelligence we’re cultivating is infinitesimal compared to what might exist in the cosmos.

As the event wrapped up, guests filtered out of the mansion, some hopping into Ubers and Waymos, while others lingered to continue these pivotal discussions. Faggella summed it up aptly, stating, 'This is not a call for our destruction, but an advocacy for a prudent pace in our AI advancement to ensure we forge a beneficial path forward.'