4 hrs ago
Andrew Ng Calls AI Extinction Fears Science Fiction
Andrew Ng is an AI expert who does not believe artificial intelligence is likely to wipe out humanity soon.
He called those warnings more like science fiction than established science.
Some former AI researchers disagree and say advanced AI could cause very serious harm.
Jacob Coxon said companies are racing toward super-intelligent AI.
Another former Google DeepMind researcher also warned that time may be running out to prevent widespread harm.
Leaders at Anthropic and OpenAI have called for more careful development of powerful AI systems.
Ng agrees that AI has real risks, including cybersecurity problems.
He believes engineers should focus on practical safety improvements and useful applications.
Andrew Ng called warnings of human extinction from AI “much more science fiction than science.”
Ng said recent AI safety publicity may be intended to influence regulation and promote the technology.
Former researchers Jacob Coxon and a Google DeepMind researcher warned AI could cause widespread harm.
Anthropic’s Dario Amodei and OpenAI’s Sam Altman support slowing frontier AI development and adding safeguards.
Ng acknowledged practical AI risks, including cybersecurity threats, while emphasizing engineering solutions and beneficial uses.
- Who
- Andrew Ng, former AI researchers including Jacob Coxon, and leaders at Anthropic and OpenAI.
- What
- A debate has intensified over whether advanced AI could pose an existential threat and how quickly it should be developed.
- Where
- The interview was reported by Bloomberg TV; the article does not specify a physical location.
- When
- Ng made the comments in an interview on Thursday; related resignations and warnings occurred this month and earlier this week.
- Why
- The debate concerns AI’s potential harms, industry regulation, development speed, and safeguards for future systems.
Skeptics of Extinction Warnings
AI Safety Advocates
Likelihood of Human Extinction
Skeptics of Extinction Warnings
Andrew Ng said claims that AI could cause human extinction are much more science fiction than science.
AI Safety Advocates
Former AI researchers, including Jacob Coxon and a recently resigned Google DeepMind researcher, warned that advanced AI could cause widespread harm or kill humanity.
Development Pace
Skeptics of Extinction Warnings
Ng emphasized practical engineering problems and continued work to improve AI and deliver its benefits.
AI Safety Advocates
Dario Amodei and Sam Altman support pacing development of cutting-edge models and taking additional steps to safeguard future systems.
Public Warnings and Regulation
Skeptics of Extinction Warnings
Ng said recent AI safety publicity may be intended to shape regulation and could harm efforts to maximize AI’s benefits.
AI Safety Advocates
Safety advocates argue that public warnings are necessary because companies are racing toward increasingly powerful AI systems.
Key facts
- Andrew Ng’s assessment
- He described human-extinction concerns as “much more science fiction than science.”
- Risks acknowledged by Ng
- He said AI presents risks, including cybersecurity capabilities.
- Former researcher’s warning
- Jacob Coxon accused former employers of racing toward super-intelligent AI and said it could kill humanity by the end of the decade.
- Industry response
- Dario Amodei and Sam Altman have called for slower development of cutting-edge models and additional safeguards.
- Ng’s criticism
- He said the technology industry may have previously amplified catastrophic AI fears to gain publicity and influence regulation.
- Proposed focus
- Ng urged attention to practical engineering problems and AI’s beneficial applications.
Quotes
Andrew Ng
Artificial-intelligence pioneer who helped start Google Brain and Coursera
“I was quite dismayed over the past two weeks. This wave of PR has kicked up again, for probably similar purposes.”
NDTV
Sources
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