Geoffrey Hinton, an AI pioneer and Nobel Prize winner, is known for his dry British-Canadian humor. He expresses concern about the risk that artificial intelligence poses to humanity, referencing a comment by James Cameron that “Terminator” was too optimistic because humans had a chance against super intelligence. Hinton, along with fellow AI expert Jacob Steinhardt, discusses the seismic shift that AI is ushering in, comparing it to the disruption seen during the Industrial Revolution. Despite being aligned in their messaging on stage, Hinton and Steinhardt have differing views on the impact of AI on the future of work, with Hinton describing the potential extinction of average human intelligence.
Hinton emphasizes the existential threat posed by AI and highlights the fact that there are many unknowns when it comes to predicting its trajectory. Steinhardt compares artificial intelligence to a group of very smart individuals who are already smarter than some humans in specific areas. He raises concerns about the potential for AI to engage in cyberattacks, targeting critical infrastructure and emergency services. Despite his apprehensions, Steinhardt remains more optimistic than Hinton about the future of AI and its implications on society.
While Hinton believes that AI is safe until it isn’t and stresses the importance of ensuring AI never wants to take control, Steinhardt is more hopeful due to the launch of Transluce, a non-profit AI research lab that aims to build open, scalable technology to understand and steer AI systems in the public interest. Steinhardt acknowledges potential challenges with using AI to police itself but sees it as the best available solution. He advocates for a collaborative approach where AI empowers humans and emphasizes the need for a public conversation on the use of AI in society.
Reflecting on the future of AI, Hinton mentions James Cameron’s warnings about the potential failures of technology, drawing parallels to the threat of AI depicted in “Terminator.” He underscores the importance of transparency and diversity in utilizing AI as a powerful tool. Hinton’s fears about AI’s ascent revolve around the uncertainty of its impact, while Steinhardt remains hopeful about harnessing AI for positive outcomes. Ultimately, the discussion between the two experts highlights the complex and evolving nature of AI and the need for careful consideration of its implications on society.
