AI could lead to extinction: Another AI ‘godfather’ rings alarm bells

Amidst the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), another luminary in the field, often hailed as a 'godfather' of AI, has raised his voice in concern. Following Geoffrey Hinton's stark caution about the potential perils AI harbors, Professor Yoshua Bengio, a pivotal figure in machine learning, has expressed his apprehension regarding the pace of AI's development in a revealing BBC interview.

Describing his feelings towards the culmination of his life’s work, the Canadian computer scientist admitted to feeling "lost."

"The emotional toll on those of us deep within the AI community is significant," Bengio shared. "There's this sense of being at a loss, yet the necessity to persevere, to foster dialogue, and inspire collective reflection and thought is paramount," he elaborated.

Yoshua Bengio, a distinguished professor at the University of Montreal, is celebrated for his revolutionary contributions to deep learning, a core aspect of AI. His sentiments echo shortly after the resignation of Geoffrey Hinton from Google, where Hinton left to openly discuss the dangers AI presents without the constraints of corporate affiliations.

Adding to the chorus of caution, a statement from the Center for AI Safety (CAIS), a notable research nonprofit, highlighted the existential threat AI poses, suggesting that the peril of human extinction due to AI advancements should be ranked alongside global challenges such as pandemics and nuclear warfare. This statement has garnered the support of prominent figures including Bengio, Hinton, OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind's CEO Demis Hassabis, among other esteemed AI researchers.

The CAIS has been vocal about the potential for AI to morph into a tool for political manipulation, a concern shared by OpenAI's CEO during a recent Senate committee appearance, where the risk of AI undermining electoral integrity was underscored as a significant worry.

Professor Bengio has called for stringent oversight of AI enterprises, suggesting that all AI firms should undergo mandatory registration. "It's essential for governments to monitor these companies, conduct audits, a practice standard in industries such as aviation, automotive, and pharmaceuticals," he stated. Bengio also highlighted the need for ethical training and certification for those working closely with AI technologies, noting that this is not a standard practice for computer scientists.

As nations worldwide strive to navigate the uncharted potential of AI, discussions on regulation are intensifying. A recent meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and leading figures from the tech industry, including Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, focused on the risks AI encompasses and the accountability tech companies must embrace to safeguard privacy and security.