HistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

The threat of #GAI #generativeAI
(1/n)

Almost every week now, + despite statements to the contrary, by many #AI #scientists and #programmers, the dystopias of #IsaacAsimov and #PhilipKDick (+ others 1)) are making a leap forward.
Due to all the white noise + the hype regarding #AI most of the general public.

Since I posted my warning in Feb '23 (https://mastodon.social/@HistoPol/109877181962607380), much has happened.

I see the enabling of #robots with #AI (https://mastodon.social/@HistoPol/110129405482528991) as a particular threat because it..

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

(2/n)

...will make the potential learning curve of #AGI's a lot steeper. Why? Well, for three reasons:

1) i/Because after digesting most of the world's information from the #internet and other online sources, for lack of similar databases of #alien species, there is not much more knowledge to be accumulated ("only" to be processed differently, which is not as "steep").

2) the #InternetOfThings will provide "almost" infinite (and increasing) data points to be processed.

3) However,...

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴

(3/n)

...more importantly, #AI can finally learn to differentiate between fiction and reality.

This said, I am "finally" being joined by renowned #academic from #ComputerSciences in my skepticism, which coincides with my stance (though I do not agree with his choice of fiction, see boost of older thread in the follow-up):

"#MIT professor and AI researcher #Max #Tegmark is pretty stressed out about the potential impact of #ArtificialGeneralIntelligence (#AGI)..."

https://time.com/6273743/thinking-that-could-doom-us-with-ai/

The ‘Don’t Look Up’ Thinking That Could Doom Us With AI

If superintelligence drives humanity extinct, it probably won’t be because it turned evil or conscious, but because it turned competent

Time
Apr 30, 2023 at 8:45pmWeb
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

(4/n)

...on human society. In a new essay for #Time, he rings the alarm bells, painting a pretty dire picture of a future determined by an #AI that can outsmart us.

"Sadly, I now feel that we're living the movie 'Don't Look Up' for another existential threat: unaligned #superintelligence," #Tegmark wrote, comparing what he perceives to be a lackadaisical response to a growing #AGI threat to director Adam #McKay's popular climate change satire...
A recent survey*..."

*https://aiimpacts.org/2022-expert-survey-on-progress-in-ai/

2022 Expert Survey on Progress in AI

Collected data and analysis from a large survey of machine learning researchers.

AI Impacts
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

(5/n)

...showed that *half* of #AI researchers give AI at least ten percent chance of causing *HumanExtinction," the researcher continued.
Since we have such a long #history of thinking about this threat and what to do about it, from scientific conferences to Hollywood blockbusters, you might expect that humanity would shift into high gear with a mission to steer #AI in a safer direction than out-of-control #superintelligence

"Think again," he added, "instead, the most influential..."

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

(6/n)

...responses have been a combination of denial, mockery, and resignation so darkly comical that it's deserving of an Oscar."

In short, according to #Tegmark, #AGI is a *very real threat*, and human society isn't doing nearly enough to stop it — or, at the very least, isn't ensuring that #AGI will be properly *aligned with human values and safety*."

[I.e. #Asimov's #LawsOfRobotics at an absolute minimum]

I agree 100% with this analysis, as posted in earlier threads:

"#Tegmark..."

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

(7/n)

"...goes as far as to claim that #superintelligence "*isn't* a long-term issue," but is even "more short-term than e.g. climate change and most people's retirement planning."

To support his theory, the researcher pointed to a recent #Microsoft study arguing that #OpenAI's large language model GPT-4 is already showing *"sparks" of AGI* and a recent talk given by #DeepLearning researcher Yoshua Bengio*."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w92y0YiJA4M&t=164s

[And as I am living proof, you do not even...

AI Press Conference (Full) - March 29, 2023

YouTube
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

(8/n)

...do not even have to be a #ComputerScientist to ascertain that.]

Even without #AGI, "...the current crop of less sophisticated #AIs already poses a threat, from #misinformation-spreading synthetic content to the threat of AI-powered #weaponry...

Although #humanity is racing toward a cliff, we're not there yet, and there's still time for us to slow down, change course and avoid falling off – and instead enjoying the amazing benefits that safe, aligned #AI has to offer,"..."

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Apr 30, 2023

(9/n)

...#MIT Professor "#Tegmark writes. "This requires agreeing that the cliff actually exists and falling off of it benefits nobody."

"Just look up!" he added."

Source:
https://futurism.com/mit-professor-agi-dont-look-up

#JustLookUp
#AGI
#ArtificialGeneralIntelligence
#ELE
#ExtinctionLevelEvent

MIT Professor Compares Ignoring AGI to “Don’t Look Up”

MIT professor Max Tegmark is stressed about the potential impact of artificial general intelligence (AGI) — and thinks you should be, too.

Futurism
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Jul 20, 2023

(10/10)

The #NegativeUtopias/ #Dystopias that I think are becoming, or already have become in some countries, a reality are:

#Automata
#TheMatrix,
#SecondVariety,
#Wargames, #TheCompleteRobot, #Terminator including its #Skynet,
#Otherworld
#Robocop,
#DoAndroidsDreamOfElectricSheep? (#Bladerunner),
#TotalRecall,
#WestWorld,
#1984,
#Fahrenheit451,
#LogansRun
#BraveNewWorld,
#Gattaca,
#ChildrenOfMen
#Friday,
#AnimalFarm
#StrangeDays,
#TheMinorityReport, and
#TheHandmaidsTale.

Show threadNoctisEqui 🇺🇦🇵🇸🇪🇹🏳️‍🌈Jul 21, 2023

@HistoPol

Maybe #2012 will interrupt all that. Or maybe it will just be #Strange Days.

Those are 2 DVDs I watched recently, pretty dystopian.

Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Jul 10, 2025
@HistoPol What a fine mess we have made. ☹️
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Jul 10, 2025

@SnowyCA

#GeoPol #USpol

Yes!
Actually, my argument is, that even the classic and present #SciFi authors did never expect the convergence of mostly all #Dystopias in real life.

The irony: maybe the #ClimateCatastrophe might save US from the final #Fascist and #AI calamity...

Sorry for this dire outlook, could not help it after reviewing some of the threads I had been posting.

Have a great day anyway. Hopefully, with clean air!

Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Jul 10, 2025

@HistoPol
Please don't apologize for the negative outlook, although initially it can be distressing I prefer trying to be a realist because in the long run it is less so; no shocking surprises at the conclusion of a problem, and often we can avoid a negative outcome.

I hope you have a good one today.

"clean air" a few hours smoke free would be a plus, so I can get out for a walk. 😀

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Jul 10, 2025

@SnowyCA

@SnowyCA

🙏

Thank you.

However, I recently heard an interesting talk on the radio with a cognitive scientist and the need for (also more) positive news in the media to maintain our mental health.

#CleanAir: I feared that you'd say that, tried to be positive. 🤪

BTW, I think that I read some time ago N95/N99 respirators or their CAN equivalent, do help, but you'll know that.

Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Jul 10, 2025

@HistoPol

"need for good news" I agree with that. That's why when I notice everyone feeling grim I try to find and post good news.
I'm thinking about making it a daily habit, perhaps when I'm readying to log off for the day. Seems like a positive way to end an online session.

"clean air" Thanks for trying to be positive. 😄
When the smoke levels are lower it doesn't seem to bother some folk, but I have breathing problems so I have to be cautious. Yup, when I absolutely can't avoid it, I have my trusty n95s --they help somewhat. 😀

Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Jul 10, 2025

@SnowyCA

""need for good news" I agree with that. That's why when I notice everyone feeling grim I try to find and post good news.
I'm thinking about making it a daily habit, perhaps when I'm readying to log off for the day. Seems like a positive way to end an online session."

I'll try to emulate that.

N95: go for the N99 used by craftsmen. Much more comfortable to breathe and you don't need to protect others from a virus at present.

Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Jul 10, 2025
@HistoPol
n95s are expensive so I have a source in Canada that sends a bulk supply for free. I fill out a form to meet their requirements and that's it.
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Jul 10, 2025

@SnowyCA

BTW, do you feel a noticeable difference using a mask 😷 going outside during#ForestFiresSeason?

Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Jul 10, 2025
@HistoPol It does help but I still need to use puffers
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Jul 10, 2025

@SnowyCA

Puffers?

Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Jul 10, 2025
@HistoPol
sorry for using a slang term . inhalers. The devices used to deliver medication directly to the lungs to help with breathing.
I need to use them more often when wildfire smoke is in our area.
Show threadHistoPol (#HP) 🏴 🇺🇸 🏴Jul 10, 2025

@SnowyCA

Ah, thx.
Oh, sorry to hear that, my friend.

Show thread❄️SnowyIn🇨🇦❄️Jul 10, 2025

@HistoPol

Thanks. More distressing is watching people taking a casual stroll through the park while the air is thick with smoke. I want to yell you don't realize the damage you're doing to your lungs. (see my pinned posts)

Show threadPaul Chambers🚧Jul 10, 2025
@HistoPol Oh Lort, I guess all the AI garbage is what got The Matrix added...