Society must drive technology, not vice versa
- The public discourse on technology governance often emphasizes the lag in regulation and policy compared to the pace of innovation.
- The launch of OpenAI's Large Language Model (LLM) ChatGPT in November 2022 marked a significant disruption in the technology space, leading to the democratization of advanced AI.
AI's Impact and Dichotomy
- AI, particularly LLMs like ChatGPT, showcases specific advantages, such as advanced gene sequencing and virtual assistants.
- However, they also showcase perceived dangers that range from doomsday scenarios to concerns about societal impacts.
- The dichotomy arises from developers having a better understanding of AI capabilities than its broader societal impacts.
Threats to White-Collar Jobs
- Unlike previous disruptions that threatened manufacturing jobs, the current AI wave poses a threat to white-collar jobs relying on intellectual and cognitive abilities.
- This shift could contribute to heightened concerns and anxieties about AI's impact on professions such as law, medicine, arts, and writing.
Challenges and Regulatory Response
- Panic around AI poses twin dangers viz.
- A regulatory response that stifles innovation and the potential benefits of AI
- The possibility of incremental harm outweighing the benefits over time
- Issues like plagiarism, authorship, and copyright are emerging concerns, with ongoing litigation cases such as The New York Times against OpenAI.
Privacy and Human Rights Implications
- The use of machine learning software for surveillance, facial recognition, and predictive policing raises significant concerns about privacy and human rights.
- Society needs to take a proactive role in driving technology, rather than letting technology shape societal dynamics.