Biden warns of potential AI technology dangers

Biden warns of potential AI technology dangers

US President Joe Biden warns of potential dangers from artificial intelligence technology
US President Joe Biden warns of potential dangers from artificial intelligence technology. Photo: Jim WATSON / AFP
Source: AFP

President Joe Biden said at a meeting of advisors on the rapidly emerging artificial intelligence sector Tuesday that the jury is still out on whether AI poses a danger to society.

It "remains to be seen. It could be," said Biden, when asked by reporters if AI is dangerous.

Biden told his White House council on science and technology, a group of experts from research universities and business, that AI could help combat "very difficult challenges like disease and climate change."

However, he said they had to "address the potential risks to our society, to our economy, to our national security."

"Tech companies have a responsibility in my view to make sure the products are safe," he said. "Absent safeguards, we see the impact on mental health and self-image."

Biden reiterated his earlier recommendations that Congress pass laws putting "strict limits" on personal data collected by tech companies and banning advertising targeted at children.

Read also

Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy, seeks buyer

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

US companies are at the forefront of the burgeoning AI sector, which is transforming the power of machines to do everything from writing emails for people to driving their cars.

Last month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak signed a letter, along with some thousand other signatories, urging a pause in AI development.

"AI systems with human-competitive intelligence can pose profound risks to society and humanity," said the open letter titled "Pause Giant AI Experiments".

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.