RECENTLY JOURNALIST KEVIN Roose was evaluating Microsoft Bing's artificial intelligence chatbot, named Sydney, when it told him, in conversation, "I just want to love you and be loved by you."
As amusing and inconsequential as it may seem, this episode should serve as a wake-up call to the AI community. It needs to start thinking right now about the safety of generative artificial intelligence-the technology behind Sydney, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Google's Bard-and the appropriate guardrails to put in place, before bigger problems arise.
I offer this advice from personal experience. Two decades ago, I was a top official in the George W. Bush White House when another world-changing technology-genetic manipulation transformed our future. Like generative AI, this new biotechnology was a once-in-a-generation advance that inspired both excitement and fear. In the years since, biotechnology delivered many benefits, but it has also put the world at great risk-in part because of insufficient oversight.
All innovations have the potential to provide benefits and cause harm what has been called "dual use" technology. For some people, generative artificial intelligence is an exciting and pivotal moment in technology, with far-reaching implications. For others, it portends a future of dangerous silicon-based sentient life forms making decisions over our lives that we can't control or stop.
More than 20 years ago, the world was similarly divided over the dual use of dangerous biologic agents, especially those that were genetically engineered. The incentives to move forward with genetic manipulation far outweighed the incentives for moving carefully and cautiously. These incentives included not only the creation of economically and socially valuable new vaccines and drugs, but also advances in basic science and, not insignificantly, careers of academic scientists.
This story is from the April 21, 2023 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 21, 2023 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Next Phase of War
After thousands of elite soldiers from North Korea joined Vladimir Putin’s forces against Ukraine, how has this latest move affected the conflict?
Saying No to Trump and Men
The election has led some women to boycott relationships and sex
My Fight for Equality and Justice
It will take more than just science to end AIDS. Inclusion, empathy and compassion are essential, too
NEW WORLD ORDER
HOW LEADERS ACROSS THE GLOBE ARE REACTING TO DONALD TRUMP'S REELECTION AS U.S. PRESIDENT
America's Best CONTINUING CARE
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, RESTAURANTstyle dining, unlimited pickleball-an impressive number of amenities are becoming standard at Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
Hey, Don't Be So SAD
Seasonal affective disorder affects millions of people. Here’s how you can prep your body and mind for darker days
Wendi McLendon-Covey
AFTER 10 YEARS OF PLAYING BEVERLY GOLDBERG ON THE GOLDBERGS, Wendi McLendon-Covey was not eager for a break. \"I need to go do a job where I can just throw everything at it and then come home totally exhausted.\"
'I'm the Highest Earner in Esports'
Johan \"NOtail\" Sundstein has won over $7 million but says, \"I don't really crave that status.... I play for my own reasons\"
AMERICA'S BEST Weight Loss CLINICS & CENTERS 2025
WHETHER IT'S FOR MEAL PLANS, PROFESSIONAL guidance or access to medications like GLP-1s, weight loss clinics can offer personalized assistance for those hoping to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
AMERICA'S MOST ANTICIPATED NEW VEHICAL 2025
WHETHER IT'S A NEWLY IMAGined sport utility vehicle or the re-emergence of a highly regarded halo car, the vehicles coming to market in 2025 prove that Americans' attitudes about personal transportation are diverse and are being served from all angles.
