- Nov 5, 2011
- 5,855
Elon Musk Worries That AI Research Will Create an 'Immortal Dictator'
By Brandon Specktor, Live Science Senior Writer | April 8, 2018 08:57am ET
space.com: Elon Musk Worries That AI Research Will Create an 'Immortal Dictator'
In a new documentary, Elon Musk warns that an 'immortal' digital dictator could forever trap humanity in its grasp unless we start regulating technology ASAP.
Credit: Max Whittaker/Getty
Imagine your least-favorite world leader. (Take as much time as you need.)
Now, imagine if that person wasn't a human, but a around the world. This digi-dictator has instant access to every scrap of recorded information about every person who's ever lived. It can make millions of calculations in a fraction of a second, controls the world's economy and weapons systems with godlike autonomy and — scariest of all — can never, ever die.
This unkillable digital dictator, according to Tesla and SpaceX founder , is one of the darker scenarios awaiting humankind's future if artificial-intelligence research continues without serious regulation. []
"We are rapidly headed toward digital superintelligence that far exceeds any human, I think it's pretty obvious," Musk said in a new AI documentary called "?" directed by Chris Paine (who interviewed Musk previously for the documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?"). "If one company or a small group of people manages to develop godlike digital super-intelligence, they could take over the world."
Humans have tried to take over the world before. However, an authoritarian AI would have one terrible advantage over like-minded humans, Musk said.
"At least when there's an evil dictator, that human is going to die," Musk added. "But for an AI there would be no death. It would live forever, and then you'd have an immortal dictator, from which we could never escape."
And, this hypothetical AI-dictator wouldn't even have to be evil to pose a threat to humans, Musk added. All it has to be is determined.
"If AI has a goal and humanity just happens to be in the way, it will destroy humanity as a matter of course without even thinking about it. No hard feelings," Musk said. "It's just like, if we're building a road, and an anthill happens to be in the way. We don't hate ants, we're just building a road. So, goodbye, anthill."
Those who follow news from the Musk-verse will not be surprised by his opinions in the new documentary; the tech mogul has long been a vocal critic of unchecked artificial intelligence. In 2014, Musk called AI humanity's "," and in 2015, he joined a handful of other tech luminaries and researchers, including Stephen Hawking, to urge the United Nations to . He has said unregulated AI poses "" and proposed starting some sort of federal oversight program to monitor the technology's growth.
"Public risks require public oversight," . "Getting rid of the FAA [wouldn't] make flying safer. They're there for good reason."
"Do You Trust This Computer?" focuses on the growing public health and safety concerns linked to the rise of AI, and contains interviews with many other tech moguls, researchers and . The documentary until Sunday (April 8).
Originally published on .
Hal 2001 eye.jpg
Hal 2001 eye.jpg
By Brandon Specktor, Live Science Senior Writer | April 8, 2018 08:57am ET
space.com: Elon Musk Worries That AI Research Will Create an 'Immortal Dictator'
In a new documentary, Elon Musk warns that an 'immortal' digital dictator could forever trap humanity in its grasp unless we start regulating technology ASAP.
Credit: Max Whittaker/Getty
Imagine your least-favorite world leader. (Take as much time as you need.)
Now, imagine if that person wasn't a human, but a around the world. This digi-dictator has instant access to every scrap of recorded information about every person who's ever lived. It can make millions of calculations in a fraction of a second, controls the world's economy and weapons systems with godlike autonomy and — scariest of all — can never, ever die.
This unkillable digital dictator, according to Tesla and SpaceX founder , is one of the darker scenarios awaiting humankind's future if artificial-intelligence research continues without serious regulation. []
"We are rapidly headed toward digital superintelligence that far exceeds any human, I think it's pretty obvious," Musk said in a new AI documentary called "?" directed by Chris Paine (who interviewed Musk previously for the documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?"). "If one company or a small group of people manages to develop godlike digital super-intelligence, they could take over the world."
Humans have tried to take over the world before. However, an authoritarian AI would have one terrible advantage over like-minded humans, Musk said.
"At least when there's an evil dictator, that human is going to die," Musk added. "But for an AI there would be no death. It would live forever, and then you'd have an immortal dictator, from which we could never escape."
And, this hypothetical AI-dictator wouldn't even have to be evil to pose a threat to humans, Musk added. All it has to be is determined.
"If AI has a goal and humanity just happens to be in the way, it will destroy humanity as a matter of course without even thinking about it. No hard feelings," Musk said. "It's just like, if we're building a road, and an anthill happens to be in the way. We don't hate ants, we're just building a road. So, goodbye, anthill."
Those who follow news from the Musk-verse will not be surprised by his opinions in the new documentary; the tech mogul has long been a vocal critic of unchecked artificial intelligence. In 2014, Musk called AI humanity's "," and in 2015, he joined a handful of other tech luminaries and researchers, including Stephen Hawking, to urge the United Nations to . He has said unregulated AI poses "" and proposed starting some sort of federal oversight program to monitor the technology's growth.
"Public risks require public oversight," . "Getting rid of the FAA [wouldn't] make flying safer. They're there for good reason."
"Do You Trust This Computer?" focuses on the growing public health and safety concerns linked to the rise of AI, and contains interviews with many other tech moguls, researchers and . The documentary until Sunday (April 8).
Originally published on .
Hal 2001 eye.jpg
Hal 2001 eye.jpg
Last edited by a moderator:
