January 20, 2024: Mark Zuckerberg, has drawn criticism for his plan to develop a highly advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system. This AI aims to match or even surpass human intelligence levels.
Zuckerberg also hinted at the possibility of making this technology open source, meaning anyone could use it.
As the CEO of Meta, Zuckerberg announced the company’s ambition to build an artificial general intelligence (AGI) system. AGI refers to a theoretical AI capable of performing a wide range of tasks with intelligence equal to or exceeding that of humans.
The idea of AGI has stirred up fear among experts and leaders worldwide, who worry such a system could escape human control and become a threat.
Zuckerberg explained that the next wave of technology services demands the creation of full general intelligence.
Meta’s plan includes potentially sharing their AGI technology with external developers and the public. He emphasized making this technology as broadly available as possible, but in a responsible manner.
Dame Wendy Hall, a professor at the University of Southampton and a UN AI advisory member, described the idea of open source AGI as “really very scary.” She criticized Zuckerberg for even considering this step.
According to Hall, releasing such powerful AI without proper regulation could be harmful. She believes, though, that it will take many years before AGI is fully developed, providing time to establish necessary regulations.
Meta, among other tech companies, has agreed to let governments check AI tools for safety before and after they’re released. This commitment was made at a global AI safety summit in the UK.
Dr. Andrew Rogoyski from the University of Surrey pointed out that deciding to open source an AGI system should not be left solely to a tech company. He emphasized the need for an international consensus on such crucial matters.
Zuckerberg, in a recent interview, mentioned he would lean towards open sourcing-as long as it remains safe and responsible. However, Meta’s previous decision to open source their Llama 2 AI model faced criticism. Some experts compared it to providing a blueprint for a nuclear bomb.
Other major AI players like OpenAI and Google DeepMind also work towards AGI.
OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman expressed at the World Economic Forum that AI advancements depend on breakthroughs in energy, like nuclear fusion.
While Zuckerberg did not specify a timeline for developing AGI, he mentioned Meta’s extensive infrastructure and ongoing work on a successor to Llama 2, highlighting the company’s serious commitment to this ambitious AI project.
