With the rapid advancement of large-scale language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Bard, the potential benefits of artificial intelligence have been widely celebrated. However, concerns about the risks associated with AI have also gained significant attention. 

In a recent development, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, along with other prominent industry leaders, has co-signed an open letter warning about the potential dangers of AI that could lead to human extinction.

The statement, which was published on the website of the Center for AI Safety (CAIS), a private nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, highlights the gravity of the risks posed by advanced AI. In order to ensure clarity and avoid disagreements among the signatories, the statement has been intentionally kept brief, consisting of only 22 characters. The focus of the message is to emphasize that mitigating the risk of AI-induced extinction should be treated as a global priority on par with other societal-scale risks like pandemics and nuclear war.

The open letter includes signatures from influential figures in the AI community, including Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, MIT’s Max Tegmark, and numerous other AI scientists, academics, tech CEOs, and notable celebrities such as Jaan Tallinn, Grimes, and Sam Harris.

While the term “extinction of the human race” in the letter may appear sensational, it is important to recognize that existing damage caused by AI warrants serious scrutiny. Issues such as the unauthorized use of copyrighted data, lack of transparency in AI companies’ training processes, and the risks associated with disinformation and biases already pose significant challenges. 

Despite AI not possessing self-awareness as feared by some, it already carries risks of abuse and harm, evident through deepfakes and automated disinformation. Additionally, the rise of LLMs has the potential to impact various job sectors and reshape content creation, art, and literature.

OpenAI, although not signing the open letter co-signed by Elon Musk, has employees who agree with the CAIS-sponsored statement. The letter indirectly criticizes OpenAI and other companies for potentially prioritizing commercial interests over risk mitigation. OpenAI’s simultaneous efforts to crowdfund for shaping AI governance and its active engagement in lobbying indicate a desire to influence the regulatory landscape surrounding AI development.

The open letter signed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other industry leaders serves as a wake-up call regarding the potential risks associated with AI, which could pose a threat to human extinction.