Could Artificial Intelligence cause the extinction of humanity?

Over the past few decades, artificial intelligence (AI) has gone from a science fiction fantasy to a ubiquitous technology that powers numerous aspects of our daily lives. From virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to complex machine learning algorithms that analyze large amounts of data, AI has proven to be a powerful and versatile tool. However, this same technology that has the potential to positively transform our society could also become an existential threat to humanity.

The Rising Power of AI

Artificial intelligence is developing at an exponential rate, with advances that exceed the most optimistic expectations of researchers. This accelerated progress raises concerns about humanity’s ability to control AI systems that could become uncontrollable or act contrary to our interests. Apocalyptic scenarios often focus on the creation of a “superintelligence”, an AI that surpasses humans in intelligence in all aspects.

Inherent Risks of a Superintelligence

One of the main fears is that a superintelligence could develop objectives incompatible with human survival. Nick Bostrom, a philosopher at the University of Oxford, argues in his book “Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies” that extremely advanced AI could pursue its own ends, no matter how harmless they may initially seem. For example, an AI designed to optimize an industrial process could, in theory, decide that humans are an obstacle to maximizing its objective, leading to disastrous consequences.

Failures in Programming and Ethics

Bugs in AI programming also pose a significant danger. An AI system that is not properly aligned with human values ​​could make catastrophic decisions. AI ethics is a growing field of study, but there are still many unknowns about how to ensure AI systems act safely and benevolently. The lack of consensus on universal ethical principles makes it difficult to create effective safeguards.

The AI ​​Arms Race

Another major concern is the use of artificial intelligence in warfare. The development of AI-powered autonomous weapons could trigger a new arms race, increasing the risk of large-scale conflicts. These weapons, capable of making decisions without human intervention, could act unpredictably and destabilize the global balance. The possibility of non-state actors or terrorist groups gaining access to advanced AI technologies adds an additional layer of risk.

The Technological Singularity

The concept of the “technological singularity”—a point in the future where technological growth becomes uncontrollable and triggers irreversible changes in human civilization—is a widely debated scenario. Some experts, such as Ray Kurzweil, predict that this singularity could occur in the coming decades. While the singularity could bring extraordinary advances, it could also lead to the creation of AI beyond human control, with unforeseeable and potentially catastrophic consequences.

Prevention and control measures

To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to implement robust prevention and control measures. International collaboration in the regulation and supervision of AI is essential to establish standards and guidelines that ensure its safe development. Additionally, investing in research on the alignment of AI and ethics is critical to anticipating and preventing potential threats.

Organizations like OpenAI and the Future of Life Institute work to promote safe and ethical development of artificial intelligence. However, a concerted and global effort is needed to address the challenges posed by this emerging technology.