#650 - Geoffrey Miller - How Dangerous Is The Threat Of AI To Humanity?
Jul 6, 2023
01:22:59
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Quick takeaways
The risks AI poses to humanity and the future of civilization are a topic of debate, with concerns about the speed and power of AI systems in decision-making and control.
The development of AI has the potential to result in an arms race, political manipulation through propaganda, and threats to privacy and autonomy.
Addressing AI risks requires concerted efforts in AI governance, public perception, and international regulation to mitigate potential dangers and ensure alignment with human values.
Deep dives
AI's Potential and Safety Concerns
Artificial intelligence has the capability to process information faster than humans and has opened up possibilities but also raised concerns about safety. The risks AI poses to humanity and the future of civilization are a topic of debate. The speed and power of AI systems are major concerns, as they can outclass humans in various domains and react much faster. This can lead to potential dangers in decision-making and control. The development of AI has the potential to result in an arms race, political manipulation through propaganda, and threats to privacy and autonomy.
The Evolution of AI and Gradations of Intelligence
The development of neural networks and large language models, such as GPT, has advanced rapidly due to improved hardware, resulting in unexpected capabilities. While the focus was on artificial general intelligence (AGI) earlier, there is growing concern about the dangers posed by narrow AI applications. These applications can have significant implications in domains such as bio-weapons design, political propaganda, and warfare strategies. The use of AI for manipulation and destabilization poses immediate risks that need to be addressed.
Stigma, AI Governance, and Concerns
Addressing AI risks requires concerted efforts in AI governance and public perception. Stigmatizing industries involved in potentially harmful AI applications can help raise awareness and reduce reckless development. The coordination of international regulation efforts is slow and may not keep pace with the rapid advancement of AI technology. Concerns about aligning machine values with human preferences, including embodied values and the interests of various life forms on Earth, also need to be addressed. The optimism surrounding AGI and its potential benefits must be balanced with the risks it presents to human survival.
The Role of Imagination and Fiction in Assessing AI Risks
Imagination and fiction play a crucial role in understanding and assessing the potential harms and risks of new technologies. When it comes to imagining the potential dangers of AI, people often rely on experts' insights and references from movies and TV shows that depict catastrophic scenarios. This highlights the importance of engaging the public through creative storytelling and visualizations to help them grasp AI risks. Additionally, people need to recognize the seductive nature of technology that can have adverse social effects and understand the need to be cautious even when immediate benefits are apparent.
Global Grassroots Opposition and AI Hegemony
Contrary to the stereotype that countries like China lack critical thinking around AI risks due to government propaganda, there is room for global grassroots opposition to AI development. Chinese undergraduate students, for example, have displayed awareness and concern about AI's existential risks. Moreover, concerns about AI hegemony and a potential AI arms race exist, with the United States currently leading the way in AI development. The actions taken by the US in this regard can influence the pace and response of other countries. Slowing down AI development and fostering international cooperation are essential to prevent a competitive and potentially dangerous race.
Geoffrey Miller is a professor of evolutionary psychology at the University of New Mexico, a researcher and an author.
Artificial Intelligence possesses the capability to process information thousands of times faster than humans. It's opened up massive possibilities. But it's also opened up huge debate about the safety of creating a machine which is more intelligent and powerful than we are. Just how legitimate are the concerns about the future of AI?
Expect to learn the key risks that AI poses to humanity, the 3 biggest existential risks that will determine the future of civilisation, whether Large Language Models can actually become conscious simply by being more powerful, whether making an Artificial General Intelligence will be like creating a god or a demon, the influence that AI will have on the future of our lives and much more...
