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Stephen
Hawking’s posthumous book, published today, warns that humanity faces
an existential threat from the development of “a super-intelligent AI”.
Brief answers: The book, called ‘Brief Answers to the Big Questions’, provides Hawking’s answers to 10 fundamental questions he was constantly asked. Topics in the book range from whether there’s a god (no), if aliens exist (yes), and whether time travel is possible (maybe).
Grave warning: Hawking warns “a super-intelligent AI will be extremely good at accomplishing goals and if those goals aren’t aligned with ours we’re in trouble.” He adds: “You’re probably not an evil ant-hater who steps on ants out of malice, but if you’re in charge of a hydroelectric green-energy project and there’s an anthill in the region to be flooded, too bad for the ants. Let’s not place humanity in the position of those ants.”
Consistency: Hawking stated this position on AI many times while alive. In 2014 he warned AI could spell the end of humanity if deployed carelessly. He signed an open letter in January 2015 calling for more research on the societal impacts of AI. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11342200/Top-scientists-call-for-caution-over-artificial-intelligence.html?utm_source=MIT+Technology+Review&utm_campaign=01ae91c43b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_16_11_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_997ed6f472-01ae91c43b-153856085
Brief answers: The book, called ‘Brief Answers to the Big Questions’, provides Hawking’s answers to 10 fundamental questions he was constantly asked. Topics in the book range from whether there’s a god (no), if aliens exist (yes), and whether time travel is possible (maybe).
Grave warning: Hawking warns “a super-intelligent AI will be extremely good at accomplishing goals and if those goals aren’t aligned with ours we’re in trouble.” He adds: “You’re probably not an evil ant-hater who steps on ants out of malice, but if you’re in charge of a hydroelectric green-energy project and there’s an anthill in the region to be flooded, too bad for the ants. Let’s not place humanity in the position of those ants.”
Consistency: Hawking stated this position on AI many times while alive. In 2014 he warned AI could spell the end of humanity if deployed carelessly. He signed an open letter in January 2015 calling for more research on the societal impacts of AI. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11342200/Top-scientists-call-for-caution-over-artificial-intelligence.html?utm_source=MIT+Technology+Review&utm_campaign=01ae91c43b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_16_11_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_997ed6f472-01ae91c43b-153856085
Should we be worried too? Artificial intelligence is likely to upend many aspects of our lives, such as employment or transport. However, AI experts have consistently said we are a long way from machines that “think” for themselves. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602410/no-the-experts-dont-think-superintelligent-ai-is-a-threat-to-humanity/?utm_source=TR&utm_content=10-16&utm_source=MIT+Technology+Review&utm_campaign=01ae91c43b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_16_11_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_997ed6f472-01ae91c43b-153856085
As a major report from Stanford University put it in 2016:
“No machines with self-sustaining long-term goals and intent have been
developed, nor are they likely to be developed in the near future”. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602278/ai-wants-to-be-your-bro-not-your-foe/?utm_source=TR&utm_content=10-16&utm_source=MIT+Technology+Review&utm_campaign=01ae91c43b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_10_16_11_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_997ed6f472-01ae91c43b-153856085
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