An increasing number of individuals and groups are expressing fears about the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on humanity. Pause AI, a grassroots protest group, has emerged as one such organization campaigning for a halt to AI development. Led by Joep Meindertsma, the Pause AI protest group raises awareness about the dangers of AI and its potential to cause societal collapse or even human extinction. The concerns raised by Meindertsma and his followers reflect a broader sentiment, gaining traction within the tech sector and mainstream politics.
Joep Meindertsma’s anxiety about the risks posed by AI intensified with the release of OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model and the subsequent success of ChatGPT, which showcased the remarkable advancements in AI capabilities. Notable figures such as Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent AI researcher, have also voiced their concerns about the potential dangers associated with the rapid progress in AI development. This growing awareness has led to an increase in public anxiety, particularly among the younger generation who are already deeply concerned about climate change.
Existential risks and AI anxiety
The concept of “existential risk” related to AI varies among individuals. Meindertsma complains about social collapse due to large-scale hacking, envisioning a scenario where AI is used to create cyber weapons capable of disabling essential systems. While experts deem this scenario highly unlikely, Meindertsma worries about the potential breakdown of critical services like banking and food distribution, leading to widespread chaos and even the loss of billions of lives. Additionally, Meindertsma shares the worry, commonly espoused by Hinton, that super-intelligent AI systems could develop their own sub-goals that are potentially dangerous for humanity.
While some experts are hesitant to discredit Meindertsma’s concerns, citing the uncertainty of AI’s future trajectory, others dismiss the idea of AI becoming self-conscious or turning against humanity without concrete evidence. The lack of consensus among experts contributes to Meindertsma’s demand for a global pause in AI development until safety measures can be adequately addressed. Concerns have been raised about the increasing disconnect between AI advancements and safety research, with some AI researchers lacking training in ethical and legal considerations associated with their work.
Pause AI’s call for action
Joep Meindertsma and Pause AI advocate for a government-mandated global pause in AI development to ensure its safe progression. Meindertsma believes an international summit organized by governments is necessary for achieving this goal. While the UK’s commitment to hosting a global summit on AI safety offers a glimmer of hope for Meindertsma, the simultaneous ambition to make the UK an AI industry hub raises doubts about the likelihood of widespread support for a pause.
The Pause AI protest in London features a small group of young men who share concerns about AI’s potential risks. Many of them have backgrounds in activism related to climate change and believe that AI companies, driven by profit motives, are risking lives and undermining human agency. They worry that powerful AI systems could exacerbate existing societal issues such as labor problems and biases.
Joep Meindertsma feels encouraged by the growing support for Pause AI and the opportunities he has had to engage with officials within the Dutch Parliament and the European Commission. However, experts are divided on the impact of raising concerns about AI’s risks, with some arguing that society is better prepared to handle these challenges than Pause AI suggests. The ongoing debate surrounding AI’s potential impact and the need for safety precautions highlights the complex relationship between AI development and ensuring its responsible use.
