AI Experts Oppose Musk-backed Campaign to Pause AI Research; Here's Why

John Lopez, Tech Times 31 March 2023, 11:03 am

AI experts have reacted harshly to an open letter calling for a six-month clampdown on developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems more powerful than OpenAI's GPT-4. According to Reuters, experts, including some whose studies were mentioned in the open letter, opposed what the letter stood for.

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, was among thousands of tech sector personalities who backed the letter issued by the Future of Life Institute (FLI), an organization primarily funded by the Musk Foundation. However, critics have accused the FLI of prioritizing imagined apocalyptic scenarios over more immediate concerns about AI.

Musk's Anti-AI Letter Is 'Unhinged' Claimed Experts

The letter mentioned 12 studies, one of which was written by Margaret Mitchell, who used to be in charge of ethical AI research at Google. Mitchell, who works for AI firm Hugging Face, criticized the letter, saying that it was unclear what counted as more powerful than GPT-4.

Timnit Gebru and Emily M. Bender, two of her co-authors, both criticized the letter on Twitter. Bender called some of the letter's claims "unhinged."

The Truth Behind the Campaign

While some AI experts oppose the call for a pause in AI research, concerns about the potential risks of AI must be taken seriously.

The open letter also warned that generative AI tools could be used to flood the internet with propaganda and untruths.

Many experts think it is important to make ethical rules for AI so that it does not have unintended effects. However, some fear that calls for a pause in research could stifle innovation and impede progress in the field.

The FLI's president, Max Tegmark, told Reuters that the campaign was not an attempt to hinder OpenAI's corporate advantage.

However, it is important to note that Musk does not have a good relationship with OpenAI since internal conflicts made him leave the company in 2018. The billionaire has also been open about creating a ChatGPT rival.

Dan Hendrycks, mentioned in the letter as the California-based Center for AI Safety director, said it was wise to think about "black swan" events. Both short-term and long-term risks of AI should be taken seriously, according to FLI's Tegmark.

What's Next for AI?

As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, it is essential to balance innovation with safety. Development must follow ethical guidelines to guarantee that all humanity benefits from AI. The potential for AI to cause harm must be acknowledged and mitigated through responsible research and development practices.

While some AI experts oppose the call for a pause in AI research, concerns about the potential risks of AI must be taken seriously. It is important to make ethical rules for AI so that it can be used safely and for the good of all people.

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