AI safety is a crucial issue that must be addressed by policymakers, industry leaders and technologists alike. It is paramount to ensure that the rapid development of AI technologies does not result in disaster; however, it is equally important to put safeguards in place as soon as possible.
In this piece, I’ll elucidate on why AI safety is such an urgent priority and provide suggestions for navigating through its complicated terrain.
What is AI Safety?
No! AI is not a dangerous being operating outside of our control. Rather, it’s an engine that employs machine learning to acquire information and analyze it in real-time – all without making any overt judgment calls on its own.
AI has become a ubiquitous technology, present in almost every aspect of our lives. From search engines on the web to self-driving vehicles and even intelligent personal assistants like Siri; this technology is inevitable!
However, when it comes to AI safety – we need to be mindful that there are risks involved with introducing algorithms into our lives. Indeed, over 50% of mankind today could perish if they were rendered obsolete by artificial intelligences!
Inevitably, fears over AI have been stoked by Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Ex Machina’ and ‘Her’, wherein robots come alive and wreak havoc upon mankind. These films depict scenarios that might occur decades hence; however the current state of affairs does provide a degree of optimism for those who envision a brighter tomorrow where advances in AI must remain paramount in order for humanity to prosper.
Why is AI Safety so important?
It is evident that the stakes are high for AI, with critics arguing that “artificial intelligence and robots could spell the end of humankind”.
In response to this dire warning, experts have proposed a number of solutions that might help prevent a catastrophe. Chief among these proposals is one voiced by many prominent researchers – namely awareness of the issue! If we begin to better understand what could go wrong when creating AI, then perhaps we’ll be able grant it more human-like qualities in order to keep it from becoming too smart.
How will AI be regulated?
In 2017, the U.S. government issued its first-ever guidelines for the development of AI technologies. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a framework that facilitates proper deployment of machine learning algorithms including those used in self-driving cars as well as applications such as online advertising.
In April 2018, NIST released their updated ‘Guidance’ on how to structure an organization’s AI security policy. Here’s what you need to know:
1) Prioritizing safety! Assess your current policies and procedures related to data handling and security, allocate resources dedicatedly towards crafting them up; make sure they are rigorously enforced. If they’re inadequate at this point then it may not be possible to establish any meaningful safeguards against future breaches!
Who are the voices of AI safety?
The AI Safety movement has been propelled forward by a cadre of luminaries, including Eliezer Yudkowsky, Yoshua Bengio and David Levy. With the advent of this new field, such renowned names have emerged as prominent advocates for keeping self-learning algorithms in check during groundbreaking research and experiments into how to prevent future catastrophes stemming from artificial intelligence technology.
Trevor Burgess – Founder and CEO, AI Safety Foundation
Trevor Burgess is an engineer who dabbles in AI safety research, but his primary role is that of Chief Executive Officer of the organization he founded: The AI Safety Foundation. He utilizes the resources at his disposal to promote awareness about problems surrounding development and deployment of autonomous systems—as well as providing possible solutions for these concerns!
What is the common ground between these groups?
When it comes to AI’s potential for mischief, there is no shortage of cautions. Regardless of their stance on any particular technology or field, experts have been adamant about voicing their concerns about the risks associated with this emerging field.
Perhaps you’ve already heard: designers and scientists alike are leveraging AI as a tool to create life-like experiences in games; startups like Unusual Software Ventures seek new ways to improve our lives through apps; while leaders like Elon Musk are harnessing its potential in order to protect humanity!
While these individuals’ visions may differ slightly, they share certain goals that we should all be aware of: maintaining stability in our society and safeguarding human beings who could be at risk from such technologies. To them, the endeavor is not merely an attempt to alleviate anxiety over what AI can do – it is also one geared toward preventing its misuse!
What are the next steps for AI Safety?
With these key elements in place or on the horizon, this is all but assuredly a reality that we have to address. However, what remains to be seen is how swiftly and comprehensively we tackle them – and for this reason it’s essential for us to ponder both immediate and long-term goals as we explore ways to ensure our continued existence!
Firstly, let’s consider deeper questions regarding the future of AI. Are we headed towards an era when artificially intelligent systems are commonplace? Or will we encounter an age when those same technologies are altered beyond recognition? Do machines have any say about which way they evolve toward? If not, what does their ultimate destiny look like?
Gone are the days when you could ascribe definitive answers to questions such as “Will we survive our journey into the 21st century?” For one thing, humanity has already travelled through two-thirds of its entire history within a single decade! What do you think next year will bring? Perhaps a new age or even a breakthrough…or perhaps simply another opportunity at hand!
With a number of promising developments under our belts, researchers now turn their attention towards the creation of trustworthy conversational agents that can converse with human users and perform day-to-day tasks; thereby making life easier for humans everywhere! In addition, non-human intelligences are being deployed as part of smart cities initiatives, which seek to leverage artificial intelligence for maximum efficiency without compromising safety; thus ensuring that no unforeseen malfunctions arise during this process.
Conclusion
The most effective way to guarantee that AI remains trustworthy is to ensure that it is designed in a way that conforms with human-level intelligence. This entails taking into account the ways in which humans interact, communicate and conceptualize things; thus ensuring that such systems remain compassionate, empathetic and cognizant of their surrounding environment, among other attributes.
In order to ensure the safety of our society, we must be vigilant about implementing safeguards against the potential risks posed by AI. These range from guaranteeing that AI’s motivations align with human welfare (e.g., ethical principles); establishing open communication channels between humans and AI systems; as well as implementing checks and balances within their programming so as to verify their capabilities for self-improvement.
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