For the past 24 hours, scientists have been lining up to sign this open letter. Put simply, the proposal urges that humanity dedicate a portion of its AI research to “aligning with human interests.” In other words, let’s try to avoid creating our own, mechanized Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
While some scientists might roll their eyes at any mention of a Singularity, plenty of experts and technologists—like, say, Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk—have warned of the dangers AI could pose to our future. But while they might urge us to pursue our AI-related studies with caution, they’re a bit less clear on what exactly it is we’re being cautious against. Thankfully, others have happily filled in those gaps. Here are five of the more menacing destruction-by-singularity prophecies our brightest minds have warned against.
