AI and its Benefits to Society as a Whole
Everyone knows and loves AI for what it can do. It makes tasks that were once incredibly tedious and time-consuming, much easier for us. Many big businesses rely on Artificial Intelligence completely, and if the AI does fail it could be costly for the company. Over the last century and more, AI has been more widespread across the world, and without AI, who knows what the world would look like today?
AI can even do tasks that are not humanly possible, which makes AI all the more useful than it already is. However, AI can also have its downsides. Even though it has a lot of great capabilities that make our lives easier, it can certainly have negative impacts on society as a whole.
Godfather of AI Quits Google
The Godfather of AI, also known as Geoffrey Hinton, has publicly announced that he quit Google for solely one reason. “Geoffrey Hinton, who has been called the ‘Godfather of AI,’ confirmed Monday that he left his role at Google last week to speak out about the “dangers” of the technology he helped to develop,” according to CNN Business.
This is certainly worrisome for the majority, as relying on AI is becoming more widespread across not only the nation but the world. “I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn’t done it, somebody else would have,” Hinton told the New York Times who was first to report his decision. Clearly, Hinton did not want to wait any longer to quit Google and report what he had seen. As aforementioned in the quote, he wanted to be the first person to come out and talk about the things he had seen, being that he was the ‘Godfather of AI’.
What Are the Dangers He Speaks About Regarding AI?
As aforementioned, AI is continually getting better and better, and in some cases, that can also be dangerous. “As companies improve their A.I. systems, he believes, they become increasingly dangerous. Look at how it was five years ago and how it is now,” he said of A.I. technology. “Take the difference and propagate it forward. That’s scary,” stated The New York Times. He also previously mentioned that it could become better than the brain, and that is also dangerous for humanity in itself.
Competition in the Technological Field
The competition between many tech giants can also be catastrophic. However, he believes that intense competition between tech giants like Microsoft and Google could lead to a global AI race. One that can only be stopped through international regulation. He emphasizes collaboration between leading scientists to prevent AI from becoming uncontrollable.
If there is collaboration there would be a better chance that it can become more controllable and better suited for humanity. If it continues in the way it is currently going, that can be disastrous. Once it becomes uncontrollable, who’s to say what will happen at that time. Many do not like to think that far ahead, because of how scary that would be.
The Future of AI
Many thank Geoffrey for coming out and speaking about what the current situation is. This keeps everyone updated as to how AI can become a disaster, and how we can better work on technology in the future. If these leading scientists and leading brands continue in this fashion, who’s to say what the future of AI will become? The fact that Geoffrey Hinton has resigned now, means that action needs to be taken now. If not, this could potentially escalate to a point of no return.
Written by David Loran Jr
Sources:
CNN Business: AI pioneer quits Google to warn about the technology’s ‘dangers’
The New York Times: ‘The Godfather of A.I.’ Leaves Google and Warns of Danger Ahead
ARS Technica: Warning of AI’s danger, pioneer Geoffrey Hinton quits Google to speak freely
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Frederico Cintra’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Esparta Palma’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License