Is Artificial Intelligent the Frankenstein of the 21st Century?

The world of technology witnessed a startling event on World Press Freedom Day when Geoffrey Hinton, renowned as the spiritual father of artificial intelligence, resigned from the Google Foundation.

The Unexpected Resignation

Known for his groundbreaking work in AI, Hinton is a Canadian-British computer scientist whose contributions have shaped the world as we know it. His decision to step away from the world he helped create has raised eyebrows, particularly as he now seeks to warn humanity about the potential dangers of the AI programs he and his students brought into existence.

In a surprising twist, Hinton announced his return to his roots as a Cognitive Psychologist, a profession dedicated to addressing conditions like brain injury and memory loss through psychological knowledge and techniques.

A Blow to the Stock Market and Educational Technology

Coinciding with Hinton’s resignation, World Press Freedom Day also saw a significant decline in the stock prices of various educational technology companies. This sudden dip in the market was most noticeable in the case of the American company Chig.

Established as a limited company in 2005 and publicly listed in 2013, Chig’s fortunes took a turn for the worse as its stock value decreased by half, indicating a potential shift in the educational technology landscape.

An Urgent Call to Investigate Big Tech Monopolies

The same day witnessed yet another significant development. A parliamentary committee in the House of Commons urged the British Monopoly Commission to investigate the activities of major tech conglomerates such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple. The main concern concerns these tech giants’ potential monopoly over information technology.

By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, these companies might be crowding out smaller businesses and startups, posing a significant threat to technological diversity and competition.

Consequently, there is a strong call for new or amended legislation to protect consumers from decreasing choices and ensure a fair playing field in the tech industry.

The EU’s Stand on Copyright Regulations

In light of the growing influence of artificial intelligence, the European Union Commission has initiated efforts to enact new regulations and laws. These legal amendments aim to safeguard the copyrights of writers, artists, and creators when AI systems utilize their published or registered works.

One of the significant issues with AI-generated reports is the lack of proper attribution, which often leads to the disregard for intellectual property rights.

The Strike of the American Writers Union

On the same day, the American Writers Union, representing screenwriters nationwide, organized a strike for the first time in fifteen years. The writers’ strike wasn’t solely about wages; one of the key issues at the heart of their protest was protecting their craft from AI programs.

These AI systems pose a significant threat to original creativity, often taking ideas from existing works and ignoring the authors, leading to widespread discontent among writers.

The Downfall of Chig

The significant collapse of Chig’s shares was primarily due to many students cancelling their subscriptions. Many students turned to free or low-cost AI services such as Google and ChatbotGP to assist with their schoolwork.

The shift towards AI-based educational services led to the European Union and the British Monopoly Commission taking steps to curb the unrestrained influence of artificial intelligence in the educational sphere.

Hinton’s Growing Concerns

One of the main reasons behind Hinton’s resignation was his increasing concern over the rapid proliferation of AI and its ability to reprogram itself. The ability of AI to self-learn and create new algorithms could potentially lead to the creation of a 21st-century Frankenstein monster.

As a cognitive psychologist, Hinton is particularly concerned about AI’s ability to imitate the human mind, understand its cognition, and potentially disrupt the complex processes that make us human.

Writers’ Worries

The concern of the American Writers Union extends beyond the loss of jobs to AI. The union is worried about AI’s potential to create an artistic Frankenstein monster by taking portions of their original works and assembling them into something new.

This kind of AI, which can self-learn and understand human cognition, could damage the integrity of original works and the craft of writing itself.

Protecting Ourselves

Despite the warnings and concerns voiced by democratically elected politicians and officials from the European Commission, it remains uncertain how we can shield ourselves from the potential harms posed by AI.

The rapid pace at which AI programs evolve seems to outstrip the speed at which laws and regulations can be put in place, leading to concerns about the practical application of these laws.

The Hope in the AI Storm?

As Hinton steps away from the power of Silicon Valley, there is a glimmer of hope that he may lead the charge against the potentially harmful impact of AI on society. Independent from the corporations that dominate the tech industry, Hinton might be able to guide us in navigating the complex issues that AI presents.

However, only time will tell whether we can create a balance between leveraging the benefits of AI and avoiding its potential pitfalls.

The events of World Press Freedom Day serve as a stark reminder of the complicated relationship we have with AI. From the resignation of Jeffrey Hinton to the writers’ strike, concerns over AI are becoming increasingly prominent.

As AI continues to evolve and integrate further into our lives, it is crucial that we address these concerns and ensure a future where AI serves humanity rather than poses a threat.

Key Takeaways

• AI’s rapid evolution is a concern, highlighted by Geoffrey Hinton’s resignation from the Google Foundation.
• AI usage of published works raises intellectual property rights concerns.
• Tech giants’ AI use may lead to information technology monopolies, threatening smaller companies.
• Writers fear AI could plagiarize their work, impacting the value of original creations.
• The rise of AI services could threaten traditional educational tech companies’ future.