Head of British Science Association: AI Greater Concern than Terrorism

Sophia, a humanoid robot, is the main attraction at a conference on artificial intelligenc
AFP
Charlie Nash

A.I. is a bigger concern than terrorism or climate change, according to the new head of the British Science Association.

“Until maybe a couple of years ago had I been asked what is the most pressing and important conversation we should be having about our future, I might have said climate change or one of the other big challenges facing humanity, such as terrorism, antimicrobial resistance, the threat of pandemics or world poverty,” declared Professor Jim Al-Khalili during a briefing. “But today I am certain the most important conversation we should be having is about the future of AI. It will dominate what happens with all of these other issues for better or for worse.”

“If Russian cyber hackers were able to meddle with the 2016 US elections, then what is stopping cyber terrorists from hacking into any future AI controlled power grids, transport systems, banks of military installations,” he continued. “Our government has a responsibility to protect society from potential threats and risks.”

On Twitter, Al-Khalili added that although people had suggested he was “worried about AI,” he was not.

“I’m worried we’re not prepared for AI. Different,” he explained.

Researchers at MIT created a “psychopathic” A.I. it dubbed Norrman in June. During an ink blot test, “a ‘normal’ A.I. perceived ‘a black and white photo of a small bird,’ Norman thought it looked more like a man who ‘gets pulled into a dough machine.’

Other research shows A.I. will be “billions of times smarter than humans,” and London hospitals are expected to replace doctors with A.I. in an attempt to better serve patients.

Charlie Nash is a reporter for Breitbart Tech. You can follow him on Twitter @MrNashington, or like his page at Facebook.

 

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