AI, friend or foe - 5th April 2023

The benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) are making headlines around the world. And a museum in San Francisco's opened an AI themed exhibition. However, 'Misalignment Museum' highlights both the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence. Its manager, Audrey Kim, explains the message.

Audrey Kim: "For this space, it's really trying to create a means for people to approach the tech and reflect on it and see it at different angles. I also think it's, you know, it's really, it is a really, it's a really amazing technology. It's also really terrifying. It, it, it has potential for both good and bad. And so I want to create a space where we can be in a mindspace to be open to both."

The art exhibition comes at a key moment. Famous AI supporters like Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak are demanding a 6 month pause on any further AI developments.

The Future of Life Institute's coordinated an open letter titled 'Pause Giant AI Experiments', which is a warning to AI companies. Companies are encouraged to take the time to assess the risks of AI technologies and to put safeguarding controls in place. These are needed before any more advanced AI technology is developed.

The director of the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms, Yoshua Bengio highlighted the issue. "We've reached the point where these systems are smart enough that they can be used in ways that are dangerous for society."

Audrey Kim's exhibition reflects a world after AI takes over.

Audrey Kim: "It is in a post-apocalyptic world where an artificial general intelligence, AGI, has already destroyed most of humanity, and has realised that that was bad, and then created this space as a type of memorial for the humans. So, our tagline is 'Sorry for killing most of humanity.'"

Today, we benefit from AI technologies on apps and computers. However, should we celebrate technological progress? Or should we worry about the future effects?