Is Unregulated AI Development Starting a “Race to the Bottom”?

Artificial intelligence is the latest IT buzzword that everyone seems to focus on and it’s because it is a big deal. Advances in computing have created an environment where developers can create software that effectively learns. Unfortunately, due to the nature of AI regulation; or, the complete lack of it, there are some who are concerned that the technology—which could be a revolutionary tool for the improvement of human societies—is being degraded.

“A Race to the Bottom”

One of the predominant AI researchers on the planet, MIT physics professor Max Tegmark made some serious statements about the current use of AI to The Guardian. Tegmark’s comments were:

“We’re witnessing a race to the bottom that must be stopped. We urgently need AI safety standards, so that this transforms into a race to the top. AI promises many incredible benefits, but the reckless and unchecked development of increasingly powerful systems, with no oversight, puts our economy, our society, and our lives at risk. Regulation is critical to safe innovation, so that a handful of AI corporations don’t jeopardize our shared future.”

His belief is that the more powerful the technology becomes without proper oversight, the more apt that it can go sideways and have dire consequences for society. As innovation of AI technology speeds up, it stands to reason that there are some truths behind his viewpoint. AI, at current levels, is set up to mimic human responses to queries, but can do it at a much faster rate due to these systems’ ability to pour through underlying data. Advanced AI, or what they are calling Artificial General Intelligence, describes systems that can surpass human intelligence and efficiency in ways that are reckless until other, more scaled-back systems are deemed to be good for humanity as a whole. 

It’s Science Fiction

So many Sci-Fi stories that deal with rogue AI have been created that it’d take an AI just to help list them all. These stories have almost always been created as cautionary tales, fashioned long before we had AI platforms. Most of these stories end with the destruction of humanity by their own creation. It’s hard to believe, as a layman, that the technology has already grown to the point where there are concerns over whether or not humans will lose control over it, but with respected academics obviously anxious over how fast AI is being developed, it may be prudent to take a step back and throttle back on the gas, as it were. 

Unfortunately—depending on your perspective—these AI initiatives have the full support of some of the largest and most important technology companies in the world. Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon have all earmarked multi-billion dollar investments over the next five years; and if history gives us a glimpse on how this will go, they will be looking to bring to market products that will get them significant returns on their investments. Could this spell curtains for humanity? I sure hope not, but if you consider Tegmark’s comments, it could mean that it is in fact “a race to the bottom.” 

Potential AI Regulation

It’s not that uncommon to see times when industrialists and academics are at odds. People have a view that the more regulations you put on any system, the more you are confining it to mediocrity. AI is no different. In October 2022, the White House published a paper titled A Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. This is basically a document that was created starting a serious conversation about regulating AI and some rules that would keep it from being a blight on humanity. It was put together by government officials with The Office of Science and Technology Policy working with academics, human rights organizations, and even input from Microsoft and Google. Other nations have their own ideas for regulation. Japan, Singapore, and the European Union all have some AI-based regulation on the books, but outside of Colorado, there have been no sweeping mandates that would be controversial anywhere in the United States regarding AI regulation.

Ultimately, AI is a great tool that could really take humanity into the next phase of existence on this planet (and to others), but if people are reckless with it for the profit of private or public organizations, it could really end up being the end of humanity. Only time will tell. If you are interested in AI and other technologies, share this article with others and return to our blog soon.