In addition to the essay on AI that dominates today’s media coverage, Bill Gates also told the New York Times, in an hourlong interview, that the tech industry, as paraphrased by reporter Karen Weise, “was knowingly downplaying [AI] threats because there was too much money on the line.”
The indictment is perhaps more powerful coming from Gates, a longstanding proponent of innovation whose company has invested heavily in AI.
“I don’t like bringing bad news to people, and I don’t like saying that innovation may be a net negative ... But that’s where we are,” he told the Times.
Gates said that addressing AI risks like mass unemployment and bioterrorism should be “the world’s top priority.” He also called out the AI industry for ignoring “technology milestones — like A.I.’s escaping the control of its creators or making recipes for bioweapons — that it once said would warrant more caution.”
His indictment extends beyond the tech industry: he is a strong proponent of mandatory reviews for powerful AI systems and doesn’t think voluntary reporting will cut it:
“Self-regulation on the most dangerous tool ever invented ... No, thanks!”
Weise, the reporter who interviewed Gates, remarks in the comments:
I’ve interviewed many tech executives and cannot remember someone this animated and worked up. He was incredulous about what he saw as the lack of urgency to address the downsides of A.I.
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