March 29th 2023.
Several of the biggest names in tech are calling for a halt in the training of the most powerful AI systems for at least half a year, citing "significant dangers to society and humanity".
Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak are among the many tech leaders, professors, and researchers who have signed a letter published by the Future of Life Institute, a non-profit supported by Musk.
This comes just two weeks after the OpenAI organization released GPT-4, an even more advanced version of the technology that produces the popular AI chatbot tool known as ChatGPT.
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Early trials and a demonstration by the company showed that the technology could be used to draft lawsuits, pass standardized tests, and even create a working website from a hand-drawn sketch.
The letter, which was also signed by the CEO of OpenAI, suggested a pause should be put in place for AI systems "more powerful than GPT-4".
It also stated that impartial experts should take the opportunity to create and apply a set of shared regulations for AI instruments that are safe "beyond a reasonable doubt".
"Advanced AI could lead to a major shift in the history of life on Earth, and should be planned for and managed with an appropriate level of attention and resources," the letter said.
"Unfortunately, this type of planning and management isn't currently in place, even though the last few months have seen AI labs involved in an uncontrolled race to create and deploy increasingly powerful digital minds that no one — not even their creators — can understand, predict, or reliably control."
If a pause is not implemented soon, the letter stated that government bodies should step in and institute a moratorium.
The attention focused on ChatGPT late last year has sparked a competition among tech companies to develop and deploy similar AI tools in their products.
A number of the most prominent names in the tech industry are asking for a cessation of the training of the most sophisticated AI systems for a period of at least six months, citing "profound implications for society and humanity".
Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak are among the dozens of tech leaders, academics and researchers who signed the open letter which was published by the Future of Life Institute, which is supported by Musk.
This comes shortly after OpenAI revealed GPT-4, an even more powerful version of the technology that powers the viral AI chatbot program, ChatGPT.
(Image Source: http://www.9news.com.au)
In early trials and a company demo, the technology was able to create documents, pass examinations, and build a website from a hand-drawn sketch.
The letter, which was also signed by the CEO of OpenAI, suggested that the pause should include AI systems "more powerful than GPT-4".
It also said that impartial authorities should use this break to develop and implement a set of shared protocols for AI programs that are securely "beyond doubt".
"Advanced AI can represent a tremendous shift in the history of life on Earth, and should be planned for and managed with appropriate attention and resources," the letter said.
"Regrettably, this kind of planning and oversight is not taking place, even though recent months have seen AI labs embroiled in an out-of-control race to create and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one — not even their inventors — can comprehend, forecast, or reliably manage."
If a halt is not implemented soon, the letter stated that governments should step in and create a moratorium.
The wave of attention around ChatGPT late last year helped to spark a new arms race among tech firms to develop and deploy similar AI tools in their products.
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