The United States government is urged to act swiftly and decisively to mitigate the substantial national security risks posed by advanced artificial intelligence (AI), which, in the worst-case scenario, could present an “extinction-level threat to the human species,” as scientists warn there’s a 5% chance AI could end us all.
This stark warning comes from a report commissioned by the U.S. government, emphasizing the urgency of the situation akin to the historical impact of nuclear weapons on global security.
As the news surfaced online, individuals globally began expressing their opinions and concerns about the matter.
A scary, but real, possibility.
— Rhonda; Online Diary; Thinspo; Attitude is Key! (@rhondaleeindc) March 11, 2024
The document, titled “An Action Plan to Increase the Safety and Security of Advanced AI,” was prepared by Gladstone AI, a company that has engaged with over 200 government officials, experts, and employees from leading AI firms such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, and Meta.
The AI x-risk is the perfect totalitarian threat. It is set up as such an extreme risk that it couldn’t even be allowed to be developed on another planet. This extreme risk can be used to justify anything.
— Sean – acc/build (@vergeoverride) March 6, 2024
The report advocates for a series of bold and unprecedented policy measures aimed at regulating the AI industry. Among its key recommendations is the proposal to make it illegal to train AI models using computing power beyond a specified threshold, which a new federal AI agency should determine.
yeah, this could happen
— hereishannah (@hereishannahx) March 11, 2024
This recommendation is grounded in the concern that the current pace of AI development, driven by competitive dynamics, could compromise safety in favor of rapid progress.
The proposed regulatory framework would also include prohibiting the dissemination of powerful AI models’ “weights” or inner workings and intensifying restrictions on the manufacturing and export of AI chips.
Reminder: AI does not have to cause extinction for it to be a net negative for humanity that should be banned
— Afterthought (@Afterthought_01) March 7, 2024
These suggested measures reflect a growing apprehension about the pace and direction of AI advancement. With AI capabilities evolving at an unprecedented rate, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive and enforceable regulatory approach to ensure that AI development aligns with global safety and security objectives.
Reminder: AI does not have to cause extinction for it to be a net negative for humanity that should be banned
— Afterthought (@Afterthought_01) March 7, 2024
However, the report’s recommendations are anticipated to encounter significant resistance, not only due to the political and practical challenges of implementing such stringent regulations but also from the AI community, particularly concerning restrictions on open-source models and research sharing.
If an AI lab generates too small a risk this is also true.
— _ (@bayesbugger) March 7, 2024
Experts, including Greg Allen from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, express skepticism about the U.S. government’s likelihood of adopting such restrictive measures.
In combination, the chances rise exponentially.
— SPENCER (@ChloeWoellhof) March 11, 2024
The AI industry’s response to these proposals is expected to be mixed, with concerns about stifling innovation and the global competitiveness of the U.S. AI sector.
Nonetheless, the report underscores the criticality of proactive and thoughtful regulation in navigating the uncharted territories of AI development, ensuring that the technology’s integration into society maximizes benefits while minimizing risks.
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