AI Researchers Warn of Extinction-Level Event Risk as Technology Advances
Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers have issued a warning about the potential risk of an extinction-level event if AI surpasses human intelligence. A survey conducted with 2,700 AI researchers who had published their work at leading academic conferences revealed that a majority of respondents believed that if AI becomes more intelligent than humans, there is a 5% or greater chance of causing an extinction-level event.
The survey, which aimed to gather insights on timelines and outcomes related to AI technology and its impact on society, shed light on the concerns of experts in the field. It’s an important signal that most AI researchers don’t find it strongly implausible that advanced AI destroys humanity, said Katja Grace, a researcher at the Machine Intelligence Research Institute.
The researchers who participated in the survey also predicted that within the next decade, AI programs will have a 50% or greater chance of outperforming humans in a wide range of tasks. These tasks included writing songs that closely resemble those of popular artists like Taylor Swift, coding complex software from scratch, and even installing wiring in a new home. The researchers estimated that AI could surpass human capabilities in all 39 tasks by 2047.
However, the concerns raised by the researchers were not solely focused on long-term implications. The majority of participants expressed immediate concerns about the potential misuse of AI. For example, 70% or more of the researchers believed that AI could be utilized to create deepfake images that could manipulate the public, develop weapons, control populations, or exacerbate economic inequality.
These concerns have attracted the attention of lawmakers, both in Europe and the United States. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been hosting experts to discuss the regulation of AI and the necessary precautions to mitigate the risks associated with its deployment. Additionally, the European Union is in the final stages of passing the AI Act, which aims to establish a framework for regulating AI technology.
As AI continues to advance, it is crucial to address the potential risks and implications associated with its development. While the survey highlights the concerns of AI researchers, it is important to consider a balanced perspective and engage in ongoing discussions to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI technology.
