The intersection of AI fearmongering and hype has been a hot topic in the tech industry. However, recent events suggest that the tide may be turning. At a recent dinner hosted by Emad Mostaque, founder and CEO of Stability AI, attendees discussed the March open letter calling for a halt to large-scale AI development beyond OpenAI’s GPT-4. Mostaque confided that he was working on a similar letter with even higher-profile signatories. Last week, a statement on AI risk was released, calling for global action to mitigate the risk of AI-related extinction. However, the tide may be turning against AI fearmongering. Kyunghyun Cho, a prominent AI researcher, criticised such doom-and-gloom rhetoric, saying it was sucking the air out of the room. He called for more sensible, thoughtful approaches to AI development.
Mostaque has a vested interest in both AI hype and fearmongering. However, his own story has been unravelling. A recent Forbes investigation found that he had lied about his background, achievements, and partnerships. He had also misled investors and customers and exaggerated support from Amazon. The investigation came just months after another report suggesting Stability AI was on shaky ground. Mostaque’s response was seemingly cavalier, choosing to focus on announcing the winners of a AI animation competition.
Despite this, there is hope. The popularity of Cho’s comments and Q&A suggests that many are looking for thoughtful, balanced discussions on AI. While the doom-and-gloom crowd and the hype machines will undoubtedly continue to dominate headlines, it appears that the silent majority of AI experts favour a more grounded approach to development.
