Traditional AI fears have existed for centuries, with experts warning of a dystopian future where robots seize control of the world, and humans are left obsolete. Stephen Hawking, the groundbreaking British theoretical physicist, was one such expert.
Hawking's Cautious Warnings on Artificial Intelligence in 2018 and Beyond
According to the story by NY Post, Hawking, who suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for more than 55 years and used a speech-generating device to communicate, had been sounding the alarm on artificial intelligence for decades.
After his death in 2018, the timing of Hawking's text, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, was released in the same year as Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak had signed a letter warning of "profound risks" posed by AI.
The Perilous Possibility of Artificial Intelligence and the Singularity
In the book, Hawking argued that creating artificially intelligent systems could perhaps be "the worst mistake ever," As early as 2014, he told the BBC that the development of full AI "could spell the end of the human race."
The terrifying potential of Ai has been explored in literature and films since its conception, particularly with the idea of "the singularity," when the intelligence of computers exceeds that of humans, taking on a life of its own.
AI Algorithms Enhancing Customer Service and Streamlining Workplace Processes
The idea of a robotic rebellion has been a science fiction trope for decades and has brought people to Hawking's warnings and biotechnology risks. AI has infiltrated a range of industries, and some of its more mundane applications are more benign, free from the fear of robots taking complete control of the world.
From healthcare to finance, AI algorithms have been developed to process larger amounts of data quicker and more accurately than humans. In addition, the technology has been developed to forecast future changes in the market and to automate certain processes in the workplace, such as enhancing customer service or streamlining human resources.
Google and Other Tech Companies in the Race to Advance AI Networks
Though AI is convenient and has its everyday applications, major tech companies have also sought to outpace each other in the race to build more advanced AI networks.
High-profile names such as Google, Microsoft, and Tesla have revealed their races to expand their AI capabilities, with Google saying they aim to "overhaul search engines entirely" and even create a new one.
The Risks of Artificial Intelligence and the Warnings of Experts
At the same time, Microsoft will launch the "AI-powered copilot." However, experts have cautioned that mistakes made in creating AI networks could lead to unforeseen consequences. Hawking's concerns were explained further in an article by CNBC.
This is why Hawking and other experts have been so adamant in their warnings because it's more than just the fear of robots gaining control but of humans unwittingly creating a situation that could have been easily avoided by considering the risks posed by artificial intelligence beforehand.
