The concerns the biggest names in technology expressed in a letter regarding artificial intelligence (AI) potentially wiping out humanity are nothing more than "science fiction fantasy," according to Sandra Wachter, a renowned expert in data ethics, AI, robotics, algorithms and regulation.
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In Wachter's opinion, the likelihood of a “Terminator scenario” caused by artificial intelligence is “close to zero.” She dismisses the letter, released by the Center for AI Safety in San Francisco, which called for urgent attention to the risks associated with AI, as nothing more than a “publicity stunt" to attract funding.
While the letter, signed by numerous experts, emphasizes the need to treat AI risks on par with pandemics or nuclear war, Wachter, a professor and senior researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, believes that the attention is misplaced. She argues that the focus should be on present-day concerns such as bias, discrimination and the environmental impact of AI technology.
These issues are overshadowed by the exaggerated fear of a far-off future threat, Wachter said.
“Let's focus on people's jobs being replaced. These things are being completely sidelined by the Terminator scenario,” she said.
Wachter emphasizes that although there are risks associated with AI, they are not the ones receiving attention. Instead, she urges people to address the measurable issues of bias, discrimination, and environmental impact that exist in the present. As an example, she highlights the tremendous amount of water required to cool data centers, which poses a significant environmental threat.
Despite the concerns raised, AI technology has also shown significant potential for positive impact.
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AI algorithms have demonstrated the ability to assist in crucial tasks like analyzing medical images, leading to more accurate and prompt diagnoses of diseases such as cancer and heart conditions. For some AI startups like AtomBeam, it’s been shown to actually be able to compact data by up to 75%, which would actually help save on costs associated with data centers or other technology concerns.
AI’s positive impact extends beyond healthcare. It’s empowering environmental conservation efforts by monitoring ecosystems, detecting deforestation, predicting natural disasters and optimizing resource allocation. AI is revolutionizing customer service experiences with intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants, enhancing cybersecurity measures, optimizing agricultural practices and enabling efficient language translation and interpretation services.
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