A former Google Computer Scientist is warning the world that AI could become dangerous within the next 5 to 20 years.
Google Computer Scientist Speaks Up About AI
Geoffrey Hinton responded Monday to a New York Times article that insinuated he had quit Google in order to criticize the company, noting that the real reason was he actually wanted to freely talk about the dangers of AI, or artificial intelligence.
From the Times interview:
He still believed the systems were inferior to the human brain in some ways but he thought they were eclipsing human intelligence in others. “Maybe what is going on in these systems,” he said, “is actually a lot better than what is going on in the brain.”
As companies improve their AI systems, he believes, they become increasingly dangerous. “Look at how it was five years ago and how it is now,” he said of AI technology. “Take the difference and propagate it forwards. That’s scary.”
Until last year, he said, Google acted as a “proper steward” for the technology, careful not to release something that might cause harm. But now that Microsoft has augmented its Bing search engine with a chatbot — challenging Google’s core business — Google is racing to deploy the same kind of technology. The tech giants are locked in a competition that might be impossible to stop, Dr. Hinton said.
Use of Artificial Intelligence Could Spread Fake Photos, Videos and News
Hinton, who is also a professor at the University of Toronto and a senior researcher at Google, believes the increasing sophistication of AI is likely to contribute to the spread of fake videos, photos, and news, which could lead to a breakdown in trust and understanding.
In an interview, Hinton said while some had previously believed that AI would never surpass human intelligence, he now fears that it may eventually eclipse human intellect.
He stated, “The idea that this stuff could actually get smarter than people – a few people believed that. But most people thought it was way off. And I thought it was way off. I thought it was 30 to 50 years or even longer away. Obviously, I no longer think that.”
Hinton’s concerns come at a time when the world is grappling with the rapid spread of disinformation on social media and other online platforms. With the rise of deepfakes and other forms of AI-generated content, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not.
As such, Hinton’s warnings serve as a timely reminder that as AI continues to advance, it is crucial to take proactive steps to ensure that its development is aligned with ethical principles and that its potential negative impacts are mitigated.
Twitter’s Elon Musk Also Sends Warnings About AI
Renowned tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has sounded a warning about Google’s purported goal of creating an “AI God,” which he says poses a significant threat to humanity.
In a recent interview, Musk revealed he has repeatedly cautioned Google’s owners against pursuing such a project.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI, the company behind the ChatGPT, expressed genuine concerns about the rapid development of artificial intelligence and its potential negative impact on society.
He noted that Google’s ultimate objective is to create “digital superintelligence,” which he describes as a “digital god.”
In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk warned that AI could conceivably take control and make decisions for people, potentially leading to “civilizational destruction.”
He emphasized that AI poses a more significant danger than mismanaged aircraft design or production maintenance, as it has the potential, however small, to cause significant harm.
Musk also disclosed that Larry Page, the co-founder of Google, privately informed him years ago that the company’s ultimate agenda is to work towards Artificial General Intelligence, which further reinforces his concerns.
As AI continues to advance, Musk’s warnings serve as a cautionary tale, underscoring the need for responsible and ethical AI development, which considers the long-term implications of the technology’s deployment.
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