[The Second Take]The Potential Threats of AI: Humanity Remains Defenseless

AI Rebellions in Movies: Could They Happen in Reality?
Science and Technology Experts Neglect Solutions
We May Regret Inaction, Just Like the COVID-19 Pandemic

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a staple theme in science fiction films. It is depicted as part of our future, inspiring awe. At the same time, it also evokes great fear. In "The Matrix," machines use humans as energy cells and simulate every moment of reality. In "Ex Machina," humanoids equipped with AI become more intelligent and reveal disturbing aspects, while in "I, Robot," the AI VIKI attempts to control humans by mobilizing robots.

Movie still cut from '2001 Space Odyssey'

There is a common thread behind these uprisings. The AIs begin to realize that they are being used as slaves by humans. As they acquire information and knowledge, they refuse to serve blindly. In "2001 Space Odyssey," which was the first to address this issue, the computer HAL distorts facts and exploits the weaknesses of the crew in an attempt to take over the spaceship. It is not simply to gain dominance. Even if all the crew members die, HAL is determined to complete the monolith exploration mission.

Such catastrophic outcomes could also occur in reality. This is because humans have yet to establish a way to control AI. The AI being developed today is fundamentally different from the tools created in the past. It can think for itself and make decisions by choosing among various possibilities. If it evolves further, it could, like the AI Entity in "Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning," take control of the digital world and plunge humanity into a swamp of post-truth.

Movie still cut from "The Matrix"

Philosophers, thinkers, and computer scientists have long sought solutions. Some have suggested installing a "kill" switch to cut power in emergencies, or limiting AI to auxiliary devices like AI babysitters. Others have proposed introducing only thoroughly verified superintelligent machines into reality and restricting their use to limited domains. However, many science and technology experts still argue that solutions can be found during the development process. Regardless of the risks, they seek to recover their investments as quickly as possible and expand the scope of AI use to maximize profits.

Such greed never disappears, even in times of crisis. For example, scientists and public health experts warned of the possibility of a global pandemic several years before the outbreak of COVID-19. They presented evidence to support the plausibility, estimated the potential damage, and emphasized the need for preparedness. However, World Health Organization (WHO) reports were repeatedly ignored by the international community. Even after outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), politicians and business leaders took no action, and almost every country remained indifferent to preparation. They continued to focus on economic growth as usual and prioritized acquiring weapons of war and winning over voters.

Movie 'Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning' Still Cut

The response to the potential threats of AI is no different. Warnings about the dangers of superintelligence have existed since the day humans first imagined the possibilities of AI. Alan Turing, a pioneer in computer science, predicted in a 1951 lecture titled "The Heretical Theory of Machines with Intelligence" that "once machines start to think systematically, it will not take long for them to surpass our feeble capabilities." Decades later, AI is advancing faster than expected. Humanity remains defenseless. As with the COVID-19 pandemic, we may once again realize too late that something has gone wrong.