Artificial intelligence’s potential to surpass human intelligence and potentially seize control is a serious concern, according to Yoshua Bengio.
Renowned computer scientist Yoshua Bengio has voiced serious concerns about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasingly difficult controllability, posing significant risks to humanity.
Professor Bengio, affiliated with the University of Montreal and the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms, recently warned CNBC that machines could soon match or exceed human cognitive capabilities.
His concerns center on artificial general intelligence (AGI), a type of AI designed to rival or surpass human intellect. Bengio questioned the implications of such powerful AI, stating, “Intelligence gives power. So, who’s going to control that power?” and “If we create entities that are smarter than us and have their own goals, what does that mean for humanity? Are we in danger?”
He highlighted the prevalent fear that current AI training methods could inadvertently result in systems that become hostile towards humans.
Bengio noted the concentration of AI development in the hands of a few organizations and governments capable of affording the substantial costs, leading to a dangerous concentration of economic, political, and military might, thereby jeopardizing global geopolitical stability. He stated, “There are people who might want to abuse that power, and there are people who might be happy to see humanity replaced by machines,” advocating for tighter regulations.
He described the competition among companies for AI dominance as a “danger race,” emphasizing the need for accountability amongst developers.
Bengio, a recipient of the 2018 A.M. Turing Award (often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Computing”), the 2019 Killam Prize, and recognized in 2022 as the world’s most impactful computer scientist based on h-index, is a leading figure in deep learning research.
Concerns about uncontrolled AI adoption have been voiced by numerous prominent figures in the tech industry in recent years.
AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton has warned of potential global catastrophes if the use of AI weapons isn’t properly regulated.
Bengio joined other tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak, in signing a letter last year advocating for stringent AI regulation. He also signed another open letter in June, highlighting the “serious risks” associated with the technology, alongside employees from OpenAI, the creators of the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT.