"No One Should Monopolize"… Yuval Harari Warns of AI Risks

Yuval Harari Stresses the Dangers of AI
"If Hegemony Is Seized, Weaker Nations Will Be Exploited"
Concerns Over Algorithmic Recommendation Authority
"Fake News Deceives People"

"If artificial intelligence (AI) is monopolized by certain countries, it could lead to a situation where weaker nations are dominated and exploited, similar to the 19th-century Industrial Revolution."

Author Yuval Harari. Provided by Gimmyoungsa

On the 20th, Israeli author Yuval Harari (photo), who visited Korea, conveyed this warning through a press conference and university lectures, emphasizing the proper understanding of AI. In a situation where AI utilization is rapidly increasing and countries around the world are competing for AI leadership, Harari firmly stated, "No one should monopolize AI." He referred to the history of countries that held hegemony during the Industrial Revolution colonizing and exploiting other nations, expressing concern that "Historically, countries with hegemony without exception dominated and exploited other countries," and "The AI hegemony struggle is highly likely to be a repetition of such history."

At a press conference held in the morning at the Roh Moo-hyun Citizens' Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Harari addressed fears that AI will replace humans, saying, "There is no need to be excessively afraid, but it is clear that AI possesses risks that are on a different level compared to other 'tools' humanity has invented so far." He emphasized, "A nuclear bomb does not decide to drop itself nor does it create other weapons," adding, "However, AI can make decisions on its own without waiting for human commands." In particular, Harari seriously worried about the harms caused by the recommendation authority of algorithms. Referring to past cases where dictators misled the public using the media, he said, "AI is making it easier to deceive people with fake news and conspiracy theories." He continued, "Algorithms have no interest in the truth. They focus solely on increasing user engagement by stimulating anger, desire, and fear."

At a lecture held at 7 p.m. the same day in the main auditorium of Yonsei University in Sinchon, Harari also pointed out the distrust and disconnection in human society brought about by AI development. He said, "There has never been an era with such advanced information technology, but communication between people is becoming increasingly difficult," and criticized, "Now, instead of talking to each other, everyone is just raising their own voices."

Harari also expressed concern about the excessive speed competition among global big tech companies surrounding AI development. He said, "The big tech company CEOs I met were well aware of the risks of AI," but added, "However, they were anxious, thinking, 'We cannot trust our competitors. If we fall behind, they will dominate the world.'" He criticized, "They do not trust fellow humans but are willing to trust AI, which is as unfamiliar as an alien."