A number of big names from the world of technology, and in particular from AI, came together to comment on the dangers of artificial intelligence.

Once again, some big names in the world of technology and artificial intelligence warned the world about the potential dangers of AI.

what and who

The statement consists of one long sentence: “Reducing the risk of AI extinction should be a global priority, alongside other societal risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.” The original version can be found on the non-profit Center for AI Safety’s page.

The signature words are again signed by a list of big names from the technology and AI industries, including Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Kevin Scott (Microsoft) and Geoffrey Hinton (AI pioneer).

Why

Generative artificial intelligence seems to be ubiquitous in a short time, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT being the most prominent example on a global scale. With rapid technical progress, however, reservations and real concerns are also growing. Not only from ignorant geeks who are afraid of what they don’t know, but lately more and more often from people who are right in the middle. Top tech figures and AI pioneers have regularly warned of the power of the technology over the past few months. People who know what they’re talking about.

Pioneer Geoffrey Hinton has quit his job at Google to speak openly about the risks. Sam Altman, along with some OpenAI colleagues, recently expressed his concerns in a blog; It’s not the first time he’s openly worried about artificial intelligence. Recently there was an open letter demanding that research in the field of AI be suspended for half a year in order to first understand everything thoroughly and be better prepared for the consequences. It was even co-signed by Mister Fickleness himself, Elon Musk and Apple CEO Steve Wozniak.

criticism

Critics point out that all these warning fingers merely distract from the current and real problems of AI: copyright and privacy rights of the data used, the strange answers that the technology regularly gives, and the ambiguity about the sources from which chatbots draw . There are even hints here and there that some companies are calling for a pause or shutdown simply to catch up or overtake the competition in AI.

Of course, all these concerns, including those from the tech world itself, are not mutually exclusive.