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Ethics first: ensuring AI respects humanity

Have you ever wondered why AI products are so notoriously opaque? It’s almost as if their creators are trying to confound us mere mortals—or keep cozy with regulators to dodge accountability. But make no mistake, obfuscation does not exempt one from ethical scrutiny!

This isn’t merely about drafting new rules for new players. We’re talking about holding a torch to the shadows and ensuring that AI does not stray from the moral compass guiding human endeavors.

Hans Jonas, a sage voice in the wilderness, warned us with his precautionary principle: «Act so that the effects of your action are compatible with the permanence of genuine human life.» Yet, some AI evangelists herald their creations as harbingers of doom, neglecting the very principle that seeks to preserve humanity.

And let’s talk about this notion of «general purpose AI». In times past, products had singular purposes—a toaster made toast, and woe betide the soul who brought it into the bath! But now, we face entities dubbed «general purpose» – an ambitious, perhaps even presumptuous claim.

Are these AI creators ready to shoulder the responsibility for all conceivable uses of their technology? Or is this just another grandiose display of an industry enamored with its own power yet blind to its profound responsibilities?

In my latest talk, we’ll navigate these murky ethical waters, aiming for more light than shadow. Let’s not just play the game; let’s change it. Let’s hold the realm of AI to a standard that honors our highest ethical aspirations.

Let’s ensure the „AI revolution“ is remembered not for its hubris, but for its humanity.

What are your thoughts on these matters?