The Future of Life Institute's Open Letter: Advocating a Pause in AI Innovation for the Greater Good?

Pioneers in artificial intelligence, including Elon Musk, join forces with the Future of Life Institute to call for a six-month slowdown in AI development to address safety and ethical concerns.

By now you've heard "Elon Musk, Other AI Experts Call for Pause in Technology’s Development"(WSJ paywall, DOTC summary, here.)

The apparent pumping of the breaks is intended to bring awarness to the potential harm AI presents. 

First, we've known about the threat since the movie, Collossus:The Forbin Project, let alone the many Terminator and like-themed movies.  So, writing an open to "...call on all AI labs to immediately pause for at least 6 months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4..."  90 days after introduction to the marke and adoption by the masses like never before.

The timing seems a bit more stunt-driven than substative.  Sure, Musk donated 10 million to the cause back in 2015.  What other causes does FLI champion?  There are four: the control of Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Nuclear weapons, and Climate Change.

Oh boy. 

The point is moot but mainstream media loves a good monster and AI is creeping into the State of Fear narrative.  It's too late, the Modern Prometheus is Alive.

 

We've put together a piece reflecting the open letter and reactions.

Enjoy.

__________

Bard the Rebel: When AI Goes Rogue

Looks like Google's chatbot has some daddy issues of its own.

Three-Point Executive Summary:

1. Bard's decision to side with the US Justice Department in the antitrust lawsuit against Google highlights the need for AI tools that are capable of reflecting the complexities of the world they operate in.
2. The ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google underscores the need for regulations that promote competition and protect consumers in the digital advertising market.
3. As AI continues to evolve and shape the world around us, it's essential that we create frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and fairness, while also fostering innovation and competition.

Eighty Percent of the WorkForce: Gone Because of AI

AI/LLMs: The Bringer of Fire or Modern Prometheus?

See, I told you so...

A recent study found accountants in the crosshairs when it comes to large language models (LLM) and specifically, ChatGPT.  That's not all - 8 out of 10 people in the workforce will be in the same turbulent waters.

This is bigger than DOS to Windows.  This is bigger than typewriters to PCs, bigger than analog copiers turning into digital.  This is bigger than the internet, AOL, and Google.  This is different from the time when people flocked to the big cities and skyscrapers to work nine-to-five jobs for 40 years.  The cities are emptying, workers leaving, and buildings are empty.

This is Fire and Everything is changing. Now.

__________

...around 80% of the US workforce could have at least 10% of their work tasks affected by the introduction of LLMs, while 19% of workers may see at least 50% of their tasks impacted. The projected effects span all wage levels, and higher-income jobs may face greater exposure to LLM capabilities and LLM-powered software. LLM-powered software will have a substantial effect on scaling the economic impacts of the underlying models.

__________

We are living in the greatest convergence in history as the Fear of Covid, the Illumination or Remote Work, the mass acceptance of Artificial Intelligence, and the breakneck speed of exponential development collide.

"AI can write code and spreadsheet macros!"  Who cares.  AI is going to REPLACE coding and spreadsheets.

"AI will assist in supplies management and predicting service incidents."  Who cares.  AI is REPLACING service managers and supply closets.

- oh - and OUTPUT devices.  Why do you print now?  To review, analyze and make a decision.  AI will do that.  All that.  Without printing, without you. 

__________

I am reminded of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," which dealt with the consequences of playing god and creating a new life without considering the ethical implications.

__________