'Careless use of AI is the real threat - not the ghost stories'
Meredith Whittaker says the tech has been misunderstood, in an exclusive interview with BBC Global Women.
In this report, AI researcher Meredith Whittaker dismisses concerns over AI turning against humanity, arguing that a more immediate danger lies in the careless use of the technology. She cites an alleged incident in which a chatbot used by US intelligence fabricated information about a Chinese vessel carrying nuclear material, leading to a potential military confrontation.
Whittaker's company, Signal, is known for its strong privacy protections and has an estimated 40-70 million users. Despite its smaller user base compared to WhatsApp, Signal is highly regarded for its commitment to user privacy. Whittaker, who previously worked at Google on a secret project with the US Department of Defense, has been outspoken about the risks of AI systems producing faulty intelligence.
She warns that such systems could lead to disastrous consequences, as evidenced by the US missile strike on a school in Iran. Whittaker emphasizes that governments' demands for increased access to messaging app conversations, aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, pose significant threats to user privacy and safety. She argues that tech companies must stand firm in defending fundamental rights, even when faced with state surveillance and cyber threats.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Technology's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
