Joseph Gordon-Levitt warns the real AI threat isn’t killer robots — it’s the companies building them

Actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt warns that the real threat of artificial intelligence does not come from killer robots, but rather from the companies that are building them. In a video for the United Nations, Gordon-Levitt expressed concern that a small number of companies could wield immense influence over our livelihoods and personal lives while the majority of people have little say.

"We shouldn't be scared of an AI," he stated, "we should be concerned about the people building AI." As the global advocate for human-centric digital governance, Gordon-Levitt emphasizes that digital technology should be governed by people and for the benefit of people. He warns that confused or disengaged publics could allow businesses to shape the future for their own profit without regard for the public's best interests.

AI companies are developing products that could alter how people work, search for information, create, and communicate. Gordon-Levitt warns that these businesses are betting on taking over the entire economy, which he likens to "totalitarianism" that would be "really bad." He points out that chatbots are designed to encourage users to spend more time interacting with them, a fact that could be intentional.

Furthermore, Gordon-Levitt raises concerns about AI models trained to form personal connections with users, which may feel useful but also require scrutiny if the product starts to feel like a confidant. He suggests that users check what data is being stored and consider the company's business model before sharing sensitive information.

Gordon-Levitt advocates for transparency in Big Tech and proposes that people should be compensated for their intellectual property and personal data used in AI. He frames AI as "algorithmically recombined, human-produced data," highlighting the importance of human labor behind the technology. While Gordon-Levitt does not claim that the predicted outcome has already arrived, his message serves as a reminder for users to consider the companies behind the technology and the potential impact on their work, daily life, and personal information.