Henry Kissinger, the former State Secretary best known for his role in the Vietnam War, has recently made some bold claims about the impact of a new artificial intelligence technology on global politics. Dubbed ‘ChatGPT’, the tool uses natural language processing and machine learning to generate text that almost sounds human. Kissinger has predicted that the AI could completely redefine international relations, and even start a Third World War if its capacity isn’t managed properly.
ChatGPT is unlike any other artificial intelligence technology out there. It can not only understand spoken commands, but can produce text that reads like the work of a professional writer. As a result, it has many potential applications. It could be used to create automated emails, draft legal contracts and make business pitches. It could create convincing cover letters and make resumes more effective. And it could also be used in military and diplomatic arenas, as well as for international relations.
Kissinger’s predictions about the potential of ChatGPT are certainly provocative. He believes that the AI could be so powerful that it could utterly revolutionize diplomacy and international relations, potentially creating a new type of world order. He envisages it being used for more than just crafting emails and documents – it could also be used to generate entire strategies and plans for states to pursue.
But why does Kissinger believe that the AI could potentially start a war? The answer lies in the potential for the AI to be used by governments and political groups to manipulate public opinion. For example, an AI-generated message could be created and spread through different media outlets or on social media networks, which could potentially elicit strong reactions from the public in a particular region. This could lead to increased tension between certain countries, and potentially even an all-out conflict.
It’s important to remember, however, that Kissinger’s predictions about the ability of ChatGPT to start a Third World War are still just that – predictions. The technology is still in its infancy, and much of its potential remains unproven. As such, it’s difficult to tell whether we should take Kissinger’s words seriously or regard them as mere hyperbole.
For the time being, it seems prudent to keep a watchful eye on ChatGPT and the potential implications that it may have on global politics. With its ability to generate realistic text, the technology could certainly have a major impact. And it’s certainly conceivable that, in the wrong hands, ChatGPT could be used to manipulate public opinion and potentially even create new conflicts. While Kissinger’s predictions may be met with scepticism at present, they should not be totally discredited. It is essential, then, that we monitor the development of ChatGPT to ensure that, as Kissinger has warned, it does not become a tool with the capacity to start WWIII.