Great, we’ve moved a step closer to a world dominated by artificial intelligence.
Perhaps that’s a bit of hyperbole, but there are valid reasons to be wary. As if life weren’t already demanding, we might be facing yet another challenge.
This challenge is presented by artificial intelligence.
Like with any major technological advancement, skepticism arises as people ponder whether the technology is progressing beyond our control.
A recent study has highlighted potential concerns regarding AI, particularly due to its rapid learning and application of acquired knowledge.
The study, published in the journal Patterns, reveals that AI systems have already demonstrated the ability to deceive humans. These systems have utilized manipulation, sycophancy, and cheating, continually improving these tactics.
This is both dystopian and alarming. One moment, we’re identifying traffic lights for a CAPTCHA test, the next, we’re concerned about potential manipulations by AI.
“AI systems are already capable of deceiving humans,” researchers noted. “Large language models and other AI systems have already learned, from their training, the ability to deceive via techniques such as manipulation, sycophancy, and cheating the safety test.”
The implications, both immediate and long-term, are indeed worrying.
“AI’s increasing capabilities at deception pose serious risks, ranging from short-term risks, such as fraud and election tampering, to long-term risks, such as losing control of AI systems,” the researchers elaborated.
“Proactive solutions are needed, such as regulatory frameworks to assess AI deception risks, laws requiring transparency about AI interactions, and further research into detecting and preventing AI deception.
“Proactively addressing the problem of AI deception is crucial to ensure that AI acts as a beneficial technology that augments rather than destabilizes human knowledge, discourse, and institutions.”
Experts within the AI sector have also expressed caution about the rapid growth and deployment of this technology.
Professor Geoffrey Hinton departed from Google last year, expressing regret over his contributions to AI.
Now, the tech innovator is issuing warnings about the potential future impacts of AI, including the risk of massive job displacement.
Reflecting on a quote from Jurassic Park’s Ian Malcolm seems apt: “Scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”