Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter

Over a thousand distinguished and highly regarded businessmen, entrepreneurs, and experts in the technology field have come together to issue an open letter regarding the development and use of advanced artificial intelligence systems. Among the signatories are prominent figures such as Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, and Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple Inc. The authors of the open letter call for a six-month pause in the training of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems by the world's top AI labs. The letter warns of the profound risks that recent advances in AI pose to humanity and society. This plea comes shortly after the release of OpenAI's GPT-4, the most powerful AI system to date, which has forced researchers to lower their expectations for when artificial general intelligence, which would exceed human cognitive abilities, will emerge. Experts are concerned that the current AI arms race could lead to catastrophic consequences for humanity.

Elon Musk has had his fair share of critics on AI

OpenAI responded

"Our mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence—AI systems that are generally smarter than humans—benefits all of humanity."

This is the first paragraph of OpenAI's response to the recent call to pause the training of new super-powerful AI systems for six months.

OpenAI emphasizes the potential benefits and risks associated with artificial general intelligence (AGI). If successfully created, AGI could elevate humanity by increasing abundance, turbocharging the global economy, and aiding in the discovery of new scientific knowledge that changes the limits of possibility. It has the potential to provide incredible capabilities to everyone, serving as a force multiplier for human ingenuity and creativity. However, the development of AGI also poses significant risks of misuse, drastic accidents, and societal disruption: "At some point, it may be important to get an independent review before starting to train future systems, and for the most advanced efforts to agree to limit the rate of growth of compute used for creating new models,...This does not mean a pause on AI development in general, merely a stepping back."

OpenAI envisions a world in which humanity thrives beyond our imagination and strives to contribute to our world by developing an AGI that is aligned with such flourishing.

Conclusion

As we continue to follow the developments surrounding the call to pause the training of new, super-powerful AI systems, we believe it is essential to consider all factors and hear both sides of the argument. While the risks associated with advanced AI systems cannot be ignored, it is also important to acknowledge the potential benefits and advancements that AI technology can bring. The AI industry is rapidly evolving, and it is crucial that discussions surrounding responsible and safe AI development involve all stakeholders, including those in the AI industry, policymakers, and the public. As a team specializing in reviewing AI tools, we strive to provide an objective perspective on the ongoing debate surrounding AI development and use, taking into account both the benefits and risks of this transformative technology.

The AI Review Team