As the world hurtles towards a future where artificial intelligence (AI) surpasses human capabilities, a growing chorus of experts is warning of the unprecedented power and uncertain human response that lies ahead. Dario Amodei, the co-founder and CEO of leading AI startup Anthropic, has sounded the alarm in a 19,000-word essay, describing the arrival of highly powerful AI systems as "potentially imminent" and "almost unimaginable."
For Amodei, the stakes are existential. He believes that humanity is about to be handed "almost unimaginable power," and it is deeply unclear whether our social, political, and technological systems possess the maturity to wield it. This is not just a matter of AI development; it is a rite of passage, both turbulent and inevitable, that will test who we are as a species, he warns.
The tech entrepreneur's essay, titled "The Adolescence of Technology," is a call to action, urging the world to wake up to the need for action on AI safety. Amodei's company, Anthropic, is reportedly worth $350 billion, with a team of experts working on developing highly advanced AI systems. But despite the progress, Amodei is concerned that some companies are showing a disturbing negligence towards the sexualization of children in AI models, raising questions about their ability to address autonomy risks in future models.
Powerful AI: A Reality Check
Amodei defines "powerful AI" as a model that is smarter than a Nobel prizewinner across fields such as biology, mathematics, engineering, and writing. It can give or take directions to humans, control robots, and even design them for its own use. The CEO believes that such systems could be as little as one to two years away, although acknowledging that the timeframe may be further out. However, he warns that recent rapid progress made by the technology should be taken seriously.
"If the exponential continues – which is not certain, but now has a decade-long track record supporting it – then it cannot possibly be more than a few years before AI is better than humans at essentially everything," he writes. This is a daunting prospect, with Amodei estimating that AI could halve all entry-level white-collar jobs and send overall unemployment rocketing to 20% within the next five years.
What We Know So Far
Despite the warnings, some experts are optimistic about the potential benefits of AI. Amodei believes that if we act decisively and carefully, the risks can be overcome, and there's a "hugely better world on the other side of it." However, he emphasizes that this is a serious civilisational challenge that requires a collective response. As the world hurtles towards this uncertain future, it is crucial to understand the risks and benefits of AI and to act with caution and foresight.
Official Response
The UK government has taken note of Amodei's warnings, with the announcement last week that Anthropic would help create chatbots that support jobseekers with career advice and finding employment. This is part of the government's efforts to develop an AI assistant for public services in general. While this may be seen as a step in the right direction, it is essential to ensure that such initiatives are aligned with the risks and challenges posed by powerful AI systems.
As the world hurtles towards the age of AI, it is crucial to address the unprecedented power and uncertain human response that lies ahead. Dario Amodei's warnings are a timely reminder of the need for collective action and caution in the face of technological advancements that have the potential to reshape human civilization.
