experts warn of the threats of “extinction” for humanity

An ominous warning. In a statement published online Tuesday, May 30, several experts and business leaders warn of threats of“extinction” for humanity posed by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The fight against AI-related risks should be “a global priority alongside other society-wide risks, such as pandemics and nuclear wars”wrote the signatories on the Center for AI Safety website (in English)a non-profit organization based in the United States.

Signatories include Sam Altman, the creator of ChatGPT, who fears that the AI ​​will “cause great harm to the world”, by manipulating elections or by disrupting the labor market. Last week he met Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss how to find “the right balance between protection and positive impact” of this technology.

A six month break

Another big name among the signatories: Geoffrey Hinton. Considered one of the founding fathers of artificial intelligence, he left his post at Google in early May to warn of the dangers of AI. Advances in the sector are leading “deep risks for society and humanity”he said in an interview at the time. New York Times (paid article, in English).

In March, billionaire Elon Musk and hundreds of global experts called for a six-month hiatus from AI research, citing “major risks for humanity”. The rapid deployment of artificial intelligence, endowed with human cognitive capacities, is likely to upset many professions.