The development of AI technology is advancing at a rapid pace, with experts weighing in on just how swiftly this evolution is occurring.
Currently, AI lacks the capacity to ‘think’ or ‘create’ in a manner similar to humans.
Generative AI systems, like ChatGPT or Sora, operate by gathering information from extensive databases on specific subjects and assembling it into outputs. These outputs might range from an email to a computer-generated video, such as one depicting rabbits on a trampoline, that never existed in reality.
These AI systems have reached a level where distinguishing between real images and those generated by AI is becoming increasingly challenging. This development poses significant issues for internet information sharing, as there is no longer a guarantee that any video we come across is genuinely real.
However, Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist and AI specialist, discussed an entirely different type of AI on the Diary of a CEO podcast available on YouTube.
This type of AI is known as Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, and differs significantly from the generative AI systems often derisively dubbed as “Plagiarism-o-Matic.”
AGI represents true artificial intelligence, akin to the Machines in The Matrix or Skynet in Terminator—those fictional narratives about AI potentially threatening human existence.
Host Steven Bartlett inquired directly if Harris believes humanity will be able to develop AGI. Harris responded: “I do think that we’re gonna get there. It’s not clear how long it will take, and I’m not saying that because I believe necessarily the current paradigm that we’re building on will take us there.”
The question arises: how much time do we have before potentially reaching a scenario akin to Skynet?
Harris, drawing from his extensive industry connections, indicated that those working at the ‘highest level’ in AI development have their own timelines.
“Most people in the industry believe that they’ll get there between the next two and 10 years at the latest,” he mentioned.
Harris further elaborated: “Some people are saying it may not happen for a while, phew I can sit back and we don’t have to worry about it, and it’s like we’re heading for so much transformative change faster than our society is currently prepared to deal with it.
“People are currently confused about AI. People are saying it’s gonna solve everything, cure cancer, solve climate change, and there’s people saying it’s gonna kill everything.”
AI is already under significant scrutiny and provoking concern.
This includes incidents where individuals have experienced severe mental health issues after interacting with AI chatbots, as well as the environmental ramifications of data centers, which produce substantial hazardous waste and consume large amounts of energy.
On the societal front, AI enables the rapid creation and distribution of videos depicting individuals in scenarios they’ve never participated in, including illegal or explicit activities, to an extent that makes intervention difficult.