Artificial intelligence experts cautioned at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York on November 8 that the advancement of artificial intelligence could potentially disrupt political processes such as elections and pose a threat to human life.
The increasing prevalence of advanced AI technology capable of generating text, images, and videos in response to various prompts has raised excitement about its capabilities while also fueling concerns about job displacement, electoral interference, and the potential surpassing of human capabilities.
Gary Marcus, a professor at New York University, highlighted the significant risk to democracy, especially with multiple elections scheduled for 2024, emphasizing the vulnerability to sophisticated fraud and manipulation tactics.
The rise of deepfakes, particularly in the realm of social media, blurring the lines between reality and fiction in political discourse, has been accelerated by conceptual AI. These deceptively realistic videos are created using algorithms trained on vast datasets of online content.
Marcus pointed out the drastic cost reduction in producing synthetic media, from millions of dollars to just $300, underscoring the accessibility of such technology despite its longstanding presence.
Experts at the conference also expressed concerns about the growing reliance on AI in business decision-making processes, such as pricing, which could lead to biased or unfair outcomes.
Marta Tellado, CEO of Consumer Reports, shared findings revealing disparities in car insurance premiums based on the racial composition of residential areas, emphasizing the lack of accountability to consumers in such practices.
The potential existential threat posed by highly advanced AI systems was highlighted by Anthony Aguirre, the creator of the Future of Life Institute, stressing the need for vigilance among policymakers and tech leaders.
The Future of Life Institute, known for its efforts to mitigate risks associated with powerful artificial intelligence, gained attention for advocating a temporary halt in the training of AI systems surpassing OpenAI’s GPT-4, citing concerns about the unregulated development of increasingly potent digital intelligences.
The rapid evolution of AI technology not only raises concerns about job displacement but also the potential shift towards AI as a replacement rather than a tool that empowers individuals to learn new skills and transition to different industries.
