Artificial Intelligence [AI] has been one of the most discussed topics in 2023. While several people have been focusing on how AI eliminates several jobs, others were worried about its potential control over mankind. According to Eliezer Yudkowsky, an AI researcher, the advent of this technology could disrupt the existing human society. However, this isn’t limited to dainty developments that the technology is currently undertaking. The threat will arise if an advanced system is released. Elaborating on the same, he said,
“If somebody builds a too-powerful AI, under present conditions, I expect that every single member of the human species and all biological life on Earth dies shortly thereafter.”
Yudkowsky clearly wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Just last week, over 1,000 AI experts decided to sign a letter yearning for a pause on any further development of artificial intelligence technology. Yudkowsky revealed that he hadn’t signed the letter as it doesn’t address the main concerns around the issue. Noting how a 6-month moratorium was better than no moratorium he stated,
“Many researchers steeped in these issues, including myself, expect that the most likely result of building a superhumanly smart AI, under anything remotely like the current circumstances, is that literally, everyone on Earth will die.”
Are we inching closer to a “potentially scary” AI?
Looks like experts weren’t the only ones expressing their concerns over this matter. The CEO of OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT himself highlighted the dangers of this technology. Back in February 2023, Sam Altman noted that the world might not be all “that far from potentially scary” AI tools.
While several nations are trying to take lead in the AI game, a few others were taking precautions. For instance, Italy recently banned ChatGPT. An outright ban was dissed by many, however, a potential pause or halt in the rapidly developing technology seemed to be a much sought-after solution.