Edward Snowden, the renowned whistleblower, recently shared his thoughts on the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) at the SuperAI conference in Singapore. He expressed concerns about the growing trend towards monopolizing AI development, cautioning against controlling this technology without fully understanding the potential consequences.
Snowden criticized the approach taken by some entities in implementing AI safety measures, citing political influences and corporate agendas as detrimental factors. He highlighted the risk of large companies exploiting AI safety concerns to stifle competition, ultimately leading to monopolies in the industry. Additionally, governments leveraging their power to control emerging technologies were also identified as potential threats to fair AI development.
In contrast to fears of AI turning against humanity, Snowden emphasized the importance of cooperation between AI systems and humans. Drawing a parallel to raising children, he argued that just because a child may grow up to be dangerous, it doesn’t mean we should stop having children altogether. Similarly, the idea that only wealthy nations or companies should have the privilege of developing AI was deemed unfair and limiting by Snowden and other experts.
Ben Goertzel, a prominent figure in the AI field, echoed Snowden’s sentiments, suggesting that restrictive regulations could impede the progress of AI. Instead, he proposed decentralizing the deployment of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) through technologies like blockchain to ensure a more equitable and innovative development process.
While acknowledging the potential risks associated with advanced AI, both Snowden and Goertzel highlighted the positive outcomes that can arise from collaboration between AI systems and humans. They emphasized the need for inclusive and transparent approaches to AI development, steering away from monopolization and regulatory capture that could hinder progress in this transformative field.
