Don't ignore warnings over potential dangers of artificial intelligence

The increasing availability of large datasets, improved algorithms, improved computer hardware, and substantial corporate investment have all accelerated progress in recent years. [iStockphoto]

On Wednesday, over 1000 tech industry leaders signed an open letter urging Artificial Intelligence (AI) labs to stop developing advanced forms of AI. To many, this does not come as a surprise as one of the most prolific geniuses of the last century, theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawkins warned that AI could eventually end the human race if it was ever developed to extent in which it would take off on its own and redesign itself in an ever-increasing rate.

Recently, various companies, including Microsoft's Bing, Google's Bard, and ChatGPT deployed AI systems that can create humanlike conversations, essays on almost any subject and coding. AI is becoming ubiquitous in the application as automated decision-making in various fields and functionalities is being adopted by governments, corporations and businesses to make crucial decisions that have real-life consequences for human beings, their lives and the enjoyment of rights.