Top business leaders are raising serious concerns about the looming threat of artificial intelligence (AI) to humanity. A survey conducted at the Yale CEO Summit has revealed that 42% of CEOs fear that AI could potentially bring about the destruction of humanity within the next five to 10 years.
The poll, which drew answers from 119 CEOs from diverse businesses, reveals a lack of agreement on the risks and potential linked to AI. It specifically investigated whether AI, which is presently in the generative stage as demonstrated by ChatGPT, may constitute a danger to human civilization. While 58% of respondents did not see AI as a big threat, CEO interviews with Coca-Cola, Walmart, and Xerox went further into the possible dangers and advantages.
The survey findings prompted prominent figures in the field, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Geoffrey Hinton, to stress the urgency of proactive measures to address the dangers associated with AI.
According to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, while AI may replace certain occupations, it will also provide new ones. However, prominent figures like Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Bill Gates warn of the dangers of AI, claiming that it might become the biggest existential threat to mankind and perhaps trigger a third global war.
While AI holds great promise for revolutionising industries such as healthcare, transportation, finance, and entertainment, there is a need to strike a balance. Overreliance on AI can lead to unintended consequences, such as poorly researched healthcare operations resulting in fatalities or accidents caused by AI-driven autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, the possibility of cyberattacks looms large if vulnerabilities or glitches are present in AI-powered systems.
Adding to the growing concerns, Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, recently shared an AI-generated image of him and expressed his apprehensions about the potentially scary future that lies ahead.
As the world continues to embrace AI, it becomes crucial for society to navigate its advancements cautiously, acknowledging both its vast potential and the need to mitigate any associated risks.
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