In another round of what’s trending with AI – A majority of 61% of Americans express concerns about the potential threats of AI and its negative impact on civilisation. A recent survey states that more than two-thirds of Americans are generally apprehensive about the adverse effects of AI technology.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, published on Wednesday, reveals a growing sense of unease among Americans regarding the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The survey indicates that a significant majority – more than two-thirds – express concerns about the potential negative ramifications of AI. An alarming 61% believe that it poses a genuine threat to civilization itself. T
The catalyst for this heightened anxiety stems in part from the unprecedented success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot, which has rapidly ascended to become the fastest-growing application in history. As AI infiltrates various aspects of everyday life, the topic has surged to the forefront of public discourse, sparking competition among industry behemoths like Microsoft and Google.
Many other tech giants are in an intense AI arms race, each striving to outshine the other in their pursuit of AI breakthroughs. But where to?
OpenAI CEO Urges Regulation as Lawmakers Tackle AI’s Unchecked Growth
In a significant development highlighting the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified before the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, raising alarm bells about the potential misuse and uncontrolled proliferation of this transformative technology.
Altman’s testimony emphasised the need for regulatory measures to address the challenges posed by AI. Echoing this sentiment, Senator Cory Booker, participating in a Senate panel discussing AI’s applications, expressed his apprehension, stating, “There’s no way to put this genie in the bottle. Globally, this is exploding.”
This sentiment reflects the concerns shared by several lawmakers grappling with the critical question of how best to establish effective regulations for AI, given its rapid and widespread growth.
The data showcases a resounding 61% of respondents expressing their belief that AI poses inherent risks to humanity. In contrast, only 22% disagreed with this notion, while 17% remained uncertain about the matter.
Interestingly, it was reported that the poll also highlighted a divergence in perspectives based on political affiliations.
Sebastian Thrun, the esteemed computer science professor at Stanford University and founder of Google X, has weighed in on the prevailing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). While acknowledging the legitimacy of these concerns, Thrun believes that a crucial aspect is often overlooked in the ongoing dialogue—the fundamental purpose behind the development of AI.
According to Thrun, the primary objective of AI is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and empower them to become more competent and efficient. He emphasises that AI has the potential to revolutionise various aspects of human existence by augmenting our capabilities and enabling us to achieve more.
He said, “The concerns are very legitimate, but I think what’s missing in the dialogue, in general, is why are we doing this in the first place?”