Theoretical AI Harms Are a Distraction

Wrongful arrests, an expanding surveillance dragnet, defamation and deepfake pornography are all existing dangers of the so-called artificial-intelligence tools currently on the market. These issues, and not the imagined potential to wipe out humanity, are the real threat of artificial intelligence....

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScientific American Vol. 330; no. 2; p. 69
Main Authors Hanna, Alex, Bender, Emily M
Format Magazine Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Scientific American, Incorporated 01.02.2024
Subjects
Artificial intelligence
Cybersecurity
Ethics
False information
Hate speech
Judicial system
Non-English languages
Nonprofit organizations
Nuclear safety
Pollution sources
Pornography
Risk factors
Species extinction
Technology adoption
Theft
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN0036-8733
1946-7087

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Summary:Wrongful arrests, an expanding surveillance dragnet, defamation and deepfake pornography are all existing dangers of the so-called artificial-intelligence tools currently on the market. These issues, and not the imagined potential to wipe out humanity, are the real threat of artificial intelligence. End-of-days hype surrounds many AI firms, but their technology already enables myriad harms, including routine discrimination in housing, criminal justice and health care, as well as the spread of hate speech and misinformation in non-English languages. Algorithmic management programs subject workers to run-of-the-mill wage theft, and these programs are becoming more prevalent. Nevertheless, last year the nonprofit Center for AI Safety released a statement warning of "the risk of extinction from AI," which it asserted was akin to the threats of nuclear war and pandemic.
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ISSN:0036-8733
1946-7087