Originally Published August 2017| April 2024 Update at the End of the Original Copy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of new developments in computer science. But is it safe? According to experts, it could be “the best, or the worst, thing that to ever happen to humanity.”
Devastating battles are depicted in the scenes of dystopian, sci-fi movies, where computer-controlled armies defeat human-led forces. Luckily, for our sake, it’s all just a game. At The International, Valve’s largest Dota 2 tournament, an OpenAI bot defeated the top, professional Dota 2 players—And with only two weeks of practice.
If you don’t know about Dota 2, it’s of the most popular multi-player online war games played by professional gamers worldwide. The game’s popularity is due to Dota 2’s complexity which requires mastering multiple strategies, and a deep level of understanding and skill.
AI experts believe that OpenAI’s performance at The International was significant because it displayed the true power of AI today. And, even more so than when the AlphaGo bot won against a South Korean Go champion earlier this year. Unlike Go, which is categorized as the perfect information game where all players have access to the same information, Dota 2 has lots of hidden information which forces players to react quickly and adapt their own strategies.
So, what does all this game-playing have to do with you and your business? As evidenced in these games, computers are now smart enough to beat out humans. The IT experts at Intivix believe this is important. Not only is technology becoming an integral and essential part of modern life, but it’s becoming more powerful every day—And, this is scaring some very intelligent people.
Should you be worried?
It’s true. AI is rapidly improving, and the technology behind it is being incorporated into every part of our lives. From book recommendations on Amazon, to Siri and other virtual assistants, AI assists us with many daily tasks.
Although AI is in its infancy, the technology can reproduce much of what we thought was only possible in the science-fiction movies of 40 or 50 years ago. In another 40 years, will AI advance far enough to turn one of these fictional nightmare scenarios into reality?
People are already questioning whether building better AI is such a good idea. Elon Musk expressed his concern to the National Governors Association when he told attendees that despite warning people about the dangers of unchecked AI development, authorities do little to protect against its misuse. Musk called AI the “biggest risk we face as a civilization,” and called for preemptive regulations for the industry.
Musk isn’t the only scientist who predicts AI may lead to a disaster. Prominent theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, fears that once singularity in achieved, (the point where machines are more intelligent than humans) we won’t be able to prevent AI from acting independently. Hawking shares Musk’s view that if lawmakers don’t put regulations into place, advanced AI will become “either the best or the worst, thing that ever to happen to humanity.”
Others claim the AI doomsayers are watching too many movies, and claim that the idea of AI overtaking humans is ludicrous. The vice-provost of research at Imperial College London, Professor Nick Jennings, is one of them. He states that while it’s possible to develop AI that excels in a singular task, creating AI that’s capable of human-like intelligence across multiple subjects isn’t within the ability of today’s scientists. And, he doesn’t foresee technology advancing that far for a long time.
What worries more people than the “rise of the machines” nightmare becoming reality, is the continuation and acceleration of a trend that began in the 1980s. Andrew McAfee, an economist from MIT, describes a massive decline in the number of middle-class jobs in the US. He believes that the coming AI revolution will greatly speed up the rate of decline in the number of jobs, not only for middle-class workers, but for all workers.
Others disagree. Many economists believe history is a way to predict how new technology will affect the economy. They point to the effect of technology during the Industrial Revolution—That when machines displaced workers from factory jobs, they could find new and better jobs created by the introduction of machines, like mechanics. These views are supported by a 2011 study from the International Federation of Robotics, which shows for every one million robots added to the workforce, there were three-million new jobs.
What are people doing to prevent a horror scenario from unfolding?
So, what are we doing to ensure AI is being developed in a moral and safe manner? The quick answer is, not enough. Most of the people who work in the AI field disagree with those who are currently looking for ways to regulate the industry—And at present, there aren’t any AI regulatory legislations being worked on in Congress. However, some are actively trying to address the problem. DeepMind, which Google acquired several years ago, conducted a study on how to develop a ‘big red button’ that has the ability to shut down rogue AI in the future.
Whether you believe AI has the possibility to be dangerous or not, there’s no denying that AI is a powerful technology that will change the world. It’s important to be part of the discussion about how companies develop AI, and how it’s regulated. We all have the responsibility to learn more and stay educated.
Since this article’s publication in 2017, the landscape of artificial intelligence has undergone substantial advancements and has brought new layers of complexity to the discussions around AI’s power and impact.
Technological Advancements: AI capabilities have significantly progressed, with the development of more sophisticated models like OpenAI’s GPT-4, which demonstrates profound improvements in understanding and generating human-like text. Similarly, AI systems in image generation, such as DALL-E, and advancements in robotics and autonomous vehicles, have highlighted both the potential and the challenges of these technologies.
Ethical and Societal Concerns: As AI becomes more capable, the ethical implications grow more pressing. Issues such as algorithmic bias, privacy, and the potential for AI to be used for surveillance have garnered public attention, calling for a more nuanced approach to AI development that considers ethical implications from the outset.
Economic and Job Market Impact: The impact of AI on the job market continues to be a topic of vigorous debate. While AI has automated certain job categories, it has also created new opportunities and roles, emphasizing the need for workforce adaptation and the development of new skills.
Regulation and Policy: In response to the rapid development of AI, several countries and international bodies have begun to formulate more concrete regulatory frameworks. Notably, the European Union is pioneering efforts with its proposed Artificial Intelligence Act, aiming to set comprehensive standards for AI usage that could serve as a model globally.
Technological Safeguards: Research into ensuring that AI systems are controllable and aligned with human values has advanced. Initiatives like the development of AI “off-switches” and other control mechanisms are crucial in addressing the risks of autonomous AI systems.
Public Engagement and AI Literacy: There is a growing recognition of the importance of public engagement in discussions about AI. Efforts are being made to enhance public understanding of AI technologies, encouraging informed discussions about how AI should evolve and be managed in society.
In conclusion, while AI continues to offer remarkable opportunities for advancement, the complexity of its implications requires vigilant management, thoughtful regulation, and active participation from all sectors of society to ensure that its development benefits all of humanity.
Here are several recent articles from 2024 that can provide additional information and insights into the ongoing developments and discussions around artificial intelligence:
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