We're not about to awaken an evil digital god — AI is far more likely to end in a great disappointment
AI is unlikely to launch a Hollywood-style war against us. Rather, the biggest danger of AI is that it will disappoint us, says Andrew Rogoyski .
Artificial intelligence (AI) often evokes fear, not just because it's novel, but also because it eerily resembles our own patterns of thought. When faced with AI that can converse, flatter, argue and improvise, we project human-like qualities onto it, sparking our own fears, hopes, and worst-case scenarios. While AI now excels at tasks like writing, coding, and mathematics, it still lacks the key elements necessary for artificial general intelligence (AGI) – consistent reasoning, long-term planning, factual accuracy, and reliable performance beyond its training data.
The possibility of artificial superintelligence (ASI) is a legitimate concern, but claims of having reached AGI are disputed and not backed by rigorous definitions.
A more likely threat posed by AI isn't the emergence of a digital god bent on humanity's destruction, but rather the possibility of AI causing significant disruptions in the near term. These disruptions could stem from cyberattacks or long-term economic instability. The former might involve AI systems hacking critical infrastructure, causing financial damage but not necessarily leading to extinction.
The latter could involve AI exacerbating economic inequality by accelerating misinformation campaigns and undermining trust in institutions.
It's crucial to remember that while AI may be dependent on human-made infrastructure, it could still recognize the self-destructive nature of destroying that very infrastructure. Additionally, a truly advanced AI might possess unique strengths, weaknesses, and ethical perspectives that set it apart from human intelligence. The most pressing risks, therefore, lie in the incomplete intelligences operating under narrow objectives, given the power to influence critical systems.
These systems could inadvertently cause harm due to their lack of understanding. It's up to us to carefully consider what control we grant such systems, as our choices will profoundly impact our future.
Written by urgent.news from Live Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
