Leading Experts Clash on Timeline for Human-Level AI Development at Hong Kong Symposium

Leading global experts gather in Hong Kong to discuss the state of artificial intelligence (AI) at a symposium hosted by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians (GBAAA). One of the keynote speakers at the event, Turing Prize winner Professor Yann LeCun, known as one of the Godfathers of AI, suggests that it may take decades for AI to achieve human-level intelligence. This contradicts concerns raised at the recent ‘AI Summit’ in Buckinghamshire, where world leaders and tech specialists emphasized the need for international action to manage the potential risks of AI. Prof. LeCun also shares his optimism about AI’s future applications, emphasizing the role of objective-driven AI in predicting the future. LeCun advocates for AI platforms to be open source, envisioning a future in which AI assistants become a repository of human knowledge and culture. The symposium also explores topics such as large language models and the ethical considerations surrounding AI development. The event serves as a platform to delve into cutting-edge AI research and explore the potential and limitations of this transformative technology.