Comment It's a gun, not a tool (Score 1) 275
Unlike the chainsaw, where carnage can manifest only near the chainsaw, AI is a tool with the ability to reach a far wider audience.
No, you should not fear a tool, IF IT IS USED CORRECTLY. But without any sort of moral standards for AI behavior, regulatory limitations on usecases, or ability to ban results of AI computed actions, we end up with a world where it's basically possible to build a tool that is capable of manipulating ANYONE. We are not there yet, but we will be one day. And when that day comes, I want the people building these engines to have enough foresight (or regulatory requirements) to limit the ability of the AIs to tasks that are not criminal in nature.
Today, criminals use AI to generate phishing schemes. Autoplace adds that target audiences who are particularly gullible. Quickly build code to exploit zero day vulnerabilities when found etc. etc. All of this will get worse, if AI does not have a moral component, and worse when the AI becomes smarter. Imagine an AI that can outsmart law enforcement, design dangerous drug, Or even simple things like more quickly earn more money for the rich people, while taking away jobs from poor people, further building divides in the populace.
Remember tools are regulated too. Not everyone gets access to machineguns, explosives, nuclear materials, to name a few. Because these things can be dangerous when not handled correctly. So can AI. And it's not enough to just make things "illegal". Remember the war on drugs ? Prohibition ? Solicitation ? People who WANT to break the law, will break the law. But if the gun is a smartgun, it wont fire bullets at real people. Similar protection elements can be built into AI... If we demand it.