With the recent advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, experts are beginning to worry about potential implications for society. At a recent conference, a group of AI critics called for a 6-month pause in the development of AI technologies to give researchers more time to study the potential long-term effects of this emerging technology on society.
Citing increasing automation and the potential for AI to become an all-encompassing institution, these experts expressed fear that AI could lead to a situation in which control over fundamental aspects of society is lost to AI companies or institutions. As AI continues to expand and develop, the risk of such a scenario grows ever larger.
As AI becomes more advanced, it can often act autonomously and be implemented in decision-making processes, thereby greatly expanding the power and reach of AI-based technologies. In order to keep this power in check, the pause in development would be necessary to allow more time for regulated and responsible AI use, as well as to allow policymakers and enthusiasts to come together to discuss the implications of AI in the present day and in the future.
The pause proposed by the AI critics would include a moratorium on any further development of AI products, particularly ones that involve self-learning and autonomous decision-making, as well as any applications or algorithms aimed at reinforcing socially undesirable behaviour or beliefs. It would also involve establishing an independent watchdog for AI research and development that can monitor and evaluate the ethical implications and potential implications for society of any given AI implementation.
Overall, the primary concern of the AI critics is the potential for companies or institutions to gain too much control over society and that society may not be able to fully understand the implications of AI technologies as they are rapidly developed. For this reason, a 6-month pause in AI development is seen by many as an essential step in ensuring that AI is developed and implemented responsibly. This would give society more time to discuss the potential implications of AI, come up with guidelines for ethical AI usage, and ensure that any attempts to develop AI are done in a safe and responsible manner.
