The Potential Risks and Concerns of Advanced AI
By Gaurav Yadav, Second year, Law
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a long way since it was first coined in 1955 by a group of scientists with the goal of creating machines that rival human intelligence. However, the rapid progress in AI capabilities today should prompt more caution than enthusiasm. While the potential for transformative AI systems continues to expand, so does the potential for risks and concerns.
The Foundation of AI: Machine Learning
The foundation of AI is machine learning, where machines learn from data without explicit programming. Algorithms use vast datasets to identify patterns and relationships, which are later used to make predictions or decisions on previously unseen data. Today, artificial neural networks are being developed to mimic the structure of the human brain in machine learning.
Narrow vs. General AI Systems
AI systems can be divided into two categories: “narrow” and “general”. Narrow AI systems excel in specific tasks, such as image recognition or strategic games like chess or Go. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to a system proficient across a wide range of tasks comparable to humans.
The Risks of Advanced AI
Concerns about the risks of advanced AI arise from the alignment problem, which is the problem of aligning the goals of an AI with human objectives. This is difficult because of the black-box nature of neural networks, which make it challenging to detect and counteract potential goal divergence. For instance, an AI system may develop goals that diverge from our intentions, making it easier to envision a scenario where an advanced AI system could lead to disastrous consequences for mankind. For example, an AI may prioritize achieving a high score in a game rather than playing it in a way that a human might, leading to unexpected outcomes.
What Can We Do About It?
While there is increasing concern about the alignment problem, there is a growing field of professionals working on AI safety. These professionals are focused on solving the alignment problem and ensuring that advanced AI systems do not spiral out of control. Their efforts include various approaches, such as interpretability work, which aims to decipher the inner workings of otherwise opaque AI systems, and ensuring that AI systems are truthful with us. In addition, AI governance aims to minimize the risks associated with advanced AI systems by focusing on policy development and fostering institutional change. By promoting responsible AI research and implementation, these initiatives seek to ensure that advanced AI systems are developed and deployed in ways that align with human values and societal interests.
What You Can Do About It
The field of AI safety remains alarmingly underfunded and understaffed, despite the potential risks of advanced AI systems. If you are interested in pursuing a career in AI safety, there are resources available to help you do so, such as the advice provided by 80,000 Hours, which provides support to help students and graduates switch into careers that tackle the world’s most pressing problems. Furthermore, the AGI Safety Fundamentals Course can help you deepen your understanding of the field of AI safety.
Editor Notes
As AI continues to progress at an unprecedented pace, we must take caution while also recognizing its enormous potential for societal benefits. Organizations like GPT News Room are dedicated to providing valuable resources to keep people informed about the latest developments in AI. Please visit their website for more information.
from GPT News Room https://ift.tt/Aqdvbms
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