The fear of losing control to machines is not new. Nor is it exclusive to cinema and science fiction. Alan Turing himself was already playing with this idea in the early 1950s. He expressed it quite clearly, actually: «At some point we should expect machines to take over»was what he said. Researcher Simon Goldstein, a modern AI expert, agrees.
The problem is that now artificial intelligence has accelerated everything. Especially when it comes to putting fear into people’s bodies. How dangerous is this technology really? Probably no one knows. But it is significant that the messages that talk about extinction of humanity or things like that have multiplied. And in a very short time, too.
The risk of extinction is real, says an expert
There is no doubt that when the extraordinary becomes everyday, it ceases to be extraordinary. But that does not stop us from drawing attention to the growing psychosis that is beginning to emerge around artificial intelligence. Rare is the day when a new researcher or expert does not jump on the bandwagon of announcing that there is a danger to humanity. There is a lot of talk about extinction.
Is it because some experts want notoriety? Is it the media themselves who are looking for it, exaggerating the level of alarm? Or what would be worrying: Does that possibility really exist, and is it as likely as Simon Goldstein himself warns? This specialist may not be as media-savvy as Sam Altman or Geoffrey Hinton, but he is well versed in the subject from the University of Hong Kong.
For him, artificial intelligence is on the same level as other global threats. In recent statements he has been, to say the least, emphatic. «Reducing the risk of extinction caused by AI would have to become a global priority, like other risks on the same scale, such as pandemics and nuclear wars.»
Goldstein also agrees with the idea that a conflict between humans and machines (AI, to be more precise), will be nothing short of inevitable. Especially if measures are not taken such as, to begin with, “nationalize OpenAI and distribute its profits”. For example, with a universal basic income, as people like Elon Musk have already proposed.
To what extent is humanity in danger because of AI?
It must be taken into account that, as different studies show, between 38% and 51% of prominent AI researchers seriously consider that general artificial intelligence could lead to consequences similar to human extinction. It is not an exclusive case of experts like Simon Goldstein, but more and more people believe it that way.
If this threat really exists, how is it possible that more and more companies are betting on this technology, called to manage the future? For many, the answer is clear, and cannot be said to be too original. You just need to follow the same trail as always. The money, of course.
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Tags: Artificial intelligence