Could AI really kill us all? Your questions, answered.
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On Wednesday, MIT Technology Review hosted a live Roundtables event for subscribers that asked the question everyone’s asking right now: Could AI really kill us all? But attendees had so many more questions than we had time to answer in the 30 minute session. So we asked our senior AI editor Will Do
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Based on the original story on technologyreview.com.
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Panel 1
MIT Tech Review conference room. A large, friendly AI avatar standing in the center.
Will Do: Hi, everyone! Thanks for joining our live Roundtables. We have a lot to cover, but we're running out of time. So let’s tackle the most pressing question of our generation: Could AI really kill us all?
Will Do: And to answer that, I’m joined by three of the world’s top experts. First up, Alex, the optimist inventor.
Alex: Hi, everyone! I’m Alex. Sure, AI is capable of causing chaos, but it’s all about the right people designing it. Right Sam?
Sam: Of course, Alex. I’m Sam, the deadpan pragmatist.
Sam: I’m glad you brought this up, Will. I mean, if AI really could kill us all, it wouldn’t be the first time something like this happened in human history. Right Robin?
Robin: Haha, Sam. You just need to see this to believe it.
Robin: But you know what I think? I think the real threat is a bunch of people who aren’t sure they should trust a computer with their lives. Right?
Panel 2
Conference room, showing different perspectives of the room. Will, Alex, Sam, and Robin are grouped around a table.
Will Do: So, let’s get specific. What do you think is the most immediate risk posed by AI?
Alex: Well, AI could automate jobs, but that’s not a new problem. We’ve been dealing with it for a while now. Right Sam?
Sam: I know, but remember, we’re talking about the worst-case scenario here. And I think the most significant risk is... the lack of oversight?
Robin: Oh, Sam. You’re a genius. Like, imagine if you had a genie in a bottle. But instead of just doing your bidding, the genie decides to make a bomb. That’s the AI genie.
Panel 3
Conference room, showing different perspectives of the room.
Will Do: So, what’s your take? Do you think AI could really kill us all?
Alex: Absolutely not, Will. I mean, AI can’t make decisions. It’s just a tool. Right?
Sam: But if someone does misuse it, it’s on us as humans to fix that. Right Robin?
Robin: Fix that? You mean, like, don’t give it the keys to the city?
Will Do: Ha! That’s our last question for today. Thanks for all of your questions. And thank you, everyone, for joining us. Remember, we’re all in this together.
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