Renowned investor Warren Buffett recently expressed his concerns over the potential of OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot, chatGPT. In an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Buffett shared his apprehensions about artificial intelligence and its effects on society.
Buffett was particularly worried about the possible applications of a powerful AI technology like chatGPT and the risks associated with it. To him, it’s an incredible technological advance, but one that could lead to unintended consequences if not handled responsibly. He recalled the experience of working with Bill Gates, who revealed to him that while chatGPT can answer hundreds of questions in seconds, it cannot tell a single joke.
However, he also recognized the immense potential of AI technology to revolutionize certain aspects of our lives. To him, it could save tremendous amount of time by being able to quickly read and answer questions, providing valuable insights and reducing strain on humans. But such immense power raises important ethical questions about its implications for the future. He was also alluding to the incident when Albert Einstein predicted how the atomic bomb could end up changing the world, and how he would like limit causing massive upheavals.
OpenAI is an AI research laboratory co-founded by Tesla founder Elon Musk and Y Combinator President Sam Altman. Since its inception in 2015, the lab has been focusing on developing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that mimics human intelligence. With the launch of its AI-powered chatbot, chatGPT, OpenAI has reached the forefront of the AI development race. The application has been criticized by some industry experts and tech billionaire figures, such as Intel’s CEO Bob Swan, and Microsoft’s chief Brad Smith. OpenAI, however, is confident of their AI-powered tools and stands by their mission to pursue safe artificial general intelligence.
