Alarmed by the AI Revolution

Vernor Vinge once stated in his book The Singularity, “We are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth.” As AI now undoubtedly plays a pivotal role in many industries, its risks and repercussions simply cannot be ignored; and shining a light upon these has never been more imperative.

That’s why, in response to the White House’s Notice Of Request For Information (RFI), IBM has created what seems to be an AI 101—covering the huge field of AI and its vast potential applications.

“The views of the American people, including stakeholders such as consumers, academic and industry researchers, private companies, and charitable foundations, are important to inform an understanding of current and future needs for AI in diverse fields,” the RFI summary read.

Responding to Skepticsm

IBM’s AI 101 consisted of a numbered list of topics in a somewhat re-ordered and slightly re-factored response to the RFI’s questions. As Techcrunch suggests, each topic is explained well enough to make readers the smartest in the room. The following are the topics in IBM’s response:

In hindsight, even though there are many ambiguities and inefficiencies associated with the AI revolution, IBM believes that these can be eliminated and that “AI systems…will ultimately transform our personal and professional lives. Its benefits far outweigh its risks. And with the right policies and support, those benefits can be realized sooner.”