In a recent panel discussion at the Reuters MOMENTUM conference, AI experts highlighted the potential dangers of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. They warned that AI could worsen societal problems and even pose a threat to human life, emphasizing the need for global regulation.
The rise of generative AI, which can generate text, photos, and videos in response to open-ended prompts, has generated excitement as well as concerns. Many fear that AI could render jobs obsolete, disrupt economies, and potentially surpass human capabilities.
During the panel, Ian Swanson, CEO and co-founder of Protect AI, drew an analogy, stating, “We are flying down the highway in this car of AI. So what do we need to do? We need to have safety checks. We need to do the proper basic maintenance and we need regulation.”
Seth Dobrin, president of the Responsible AI Institute, highlighted the negative consequences of unchecked growth in the industry, using social media platforms as an example. He cautioned regulators to consider the impact of expanding the digital divide, as it could lead to societal disruption.
Several countries are already preparing regulations to address AI-related issues. For instance, the European Union’s proposed AI Act aims to classify AI applications based on different risk levels, with “unacceptable” uses being banned and “high-risk” applications subjected to rigorous assessments.
In the United States, lawmakers have introduced two AI-focused bills. One bill would require transparency from the government when using AI to interact with people, while the other establishes an office to assess the country’s competitiveness in emerging technologies.
Anthony Aguirre, founder and executive director of the Future of Life Institute, highlighted the potential threat of AI enhancing the power of nuclear weapons. He urged lawmakers and tech leaders to remain vigilant in preventing such risks.
Another concern raised by experts is the potential elimination of jobs as AI becomes increasingly powerful. This could make it challenging for humans to adapt and transition into other industries. Aguirre warned, “We’re going to end up in a world where our skills are irrelevant.”
The Future of Life Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on mitigating risks associated with advanced AI, gained attention when it called for a six-month pause in training AI systems more powerful than OpenAI’s GPT-4. The institute cautioned about the lack of understanding, predictability, and control over these powerful digital minds.
Despite the risks, Aguirre acknowledged that it’s crucial to make wise decisions when it comes to AI development, especially in sensitive areas like nuclear command and control.
As the need for regulation becomes increasingly evident, experts advocate for global efforts to address the potential challenges and risks posed by AI.
(Reporting by Sheila Dang in Austin, editing by Deepa Babington)
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
