Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and other tech titans call for immediate pause of AI training
Some of tech’s most prominent figures want the development of AI to be paused.
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What you need to know
Artificial intelligence is one of the hottest topics in tech, but some are calling for further guidance and regulation before labs push AI further. Future of Life Institue penned anopen lettercalling for the immediate pause of all AI training for systems more powerful than GPT-4. The institute suggests a pause of at least six months to design, develop, and implement protocols for using AI safely.
“Shouldwe let machines flood our information channels with propaganda and untruth?Shouldwe automate away all the jobs, including the fulfilling ones?Shouldwe develop nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart, obsolete and replace us?Shouldwe risk loss of control of our civilization?” reads the letter.
It continues, stating, “powerful AI systems should be developed only once we are confident that their effects will be positive and their risks will be manageable.”
While you may have not heard of Future of Life Institute, you’ve likely heard of the people who have signed the institute’s open letter. Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak are among over 1,100 names currently attached to the letter. That list also includes a Turing Prize winner, several university professors, and the co-founder of Skype Jaan Tallinn.
The call to action states:
“We call on all AI labs to immediately pause for at least 6 months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. This pause should be public and verifiable, and include all key actors. If such a pause cannot be enacted quickly, governments should step in and institute a moratorium.”
How companies will respond to this letter is unclear. Microsoft’sBing ChatandGoogle’s Bardare in a battle for consumer-facing AI.OpenAI just unveiled GPT-4earlier this month. Technology like this tends to accelerate in development, not be paused for six months.
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Below are some of the more noteworthy names that have signed the letter. The entire list is at the bottom of the letter:
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
