Warning from 50 Experts: Technology-Driven AI Must Be Stopped

A group of experts from around the world is warning against rushing into new AI technology just for the sake of innovation. They say that instead of blindly chasing new tech, we should focus on creating AI that fits our needs and respects human values.

Fifty experts from over a dozen countries have contributed to a new book on making AI more human-centered. They argue that we need to rethink how we develop AI to avoid risks and missed opportunities.

Human-centered AI means creating technology that helps people thrive. Shannon Vallor, an expert from the University of Edinburgh, explains that this approach focuses on supporting human well-being rather than just making technology as powerful as possible.

But there are problems with how AI is currently developed. Malwina Anna Wójcik from the University of Bologna points out biases in AI systems that can discriminate against marginalized communities. And Matt Malone from Thompson Rivers University warns that many people don’t understand how their data is collected and used by AI.

The experts offer solutions to these problems, like promoting diversity in research and making AI systems more transparent. They also explore how AI affects human behavior, from changing how we think to influencing our interests on social media.

To make AI more human-centered in practice, experts say policymakers need to step up. Pierre Larouche from the Université de Montréal argues that we don’t need new laws for AI but instead should apply existing laws more effectively. Benjamin Prud’homme from Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute encourages policymakers to have confidence in regulating AI responsibly.

Overall, the message from these experts is clear: We need to put people at the center of AI development to ensure it benefits everyone.