There's an emerging sense that the coming artificial intelligence revolution may be as disruptive to global order as the computer revolution of the late 1990s.
Some technologists and philosophers have suggested this revolution could leave us all vulnerable to AI systems which rapidly improve themselves without human input - potentially wiping out humanity altogether if this occurs.
The AI Arms Race Is Transforming Things
The United States, China and Russia are all racing to advance their applications of robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in military domains. In some ways it's an ambitious yet risky endeavor.But it's also a pressing matter that needs to be addressed multilaterally. As great powers invest in AI technologies for national defense, they should be able to articulate why doing so is beneficial to their own interests. Doing so could help minimize mutual risks and spur other nations on to develop and use safe AI systems for self-protection as well.
Instead of viewing AI as an arms race, the world should recognize its strategic implications for global security and economic competitiveness. The United States should invest in developing AI talent and basic research to stay ahead of this emerging technology.
It is also essential that we reject the use of AI as a weapon in warfare. Autonomous weapons have the potential to escalate conflict by arming terrorists, authoritarian rulers, and hostile states while increasing instability within democratic societies.
Additionally, as AI systems become increasingly sophisticated and capable of avoiding detection, cybercriminals may use them to generate malicious code on-demand. A recent study of ChatGPT, a popular generative AI tool, demonstrated its capacity for creating polymorphic malware which is resistant to detection and removal.
Lawmakers Are Taking Notice of AI
Over the past two decades, Washington has largely avoided regulation of big tech companies. Now some lawmakers are following their colleagues' lead and learning more about AI technologies - especially since they're progressing rapidly. For instance, Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA.) has been dedicating any free time he has while serving on Capitol Hill to AI-related work.He's even taken a class at George Mason University to gain a better comprehension of how technology is impacting his committee hearings, votes and constituents.
Congress is still debating how best to regulate AI, but the tech industry is already taking steps to make it simpler for individuals and organizations to use its potential. Companies like Google and Microsoft are developing new generative AI tools which enable users to ask questions of software programs that answer them in natural language.
These tools have gained traction among users, who are using them to create photos for social media, craft articles and take quizzes. Venture capitalists are betting on the potential productivity boosts and the power of generative AI to generate unique content.