Written By Artificial intelligence (AI) has been hailed as a revolutionary technology that has the potential to transform society for the better, but as it becomes increasingly powerful, some experts are starting to express concern about the risks associated with it. In a recent interview with CNBC, Microsoft Chief Economist Susan Athey discussed her views on the future of AI and the potential dangers that could arise if the technology is not properly managed.
Athey has a background in economics and computer science, and her expertise lies at the intersection of these two fields. She has worked on a range of issues related to the economics of the internet and the digital economy, including online advertising, platform competition, and the use of machine learning in economics.
In the interview, Athey expressed her concern that AI is becoming increasingly difficult to control, and that this could lead to some very serious problems in the future. She pointed out that as AI systems become more advanced, they are becoming less transparent and more difficult to understand. This means that it is becoming increasingly difficult for humans to anticipate the decisions that these systems will make, and to intervene if necessary.
Athey also warned that the use of AI in some areas could have unintended consequences that could be difficult to reverse. For example, she pointed out that the use of AI in finance could lead to the creation of complex financial instruments that are difficult to understand, and that could be vulnerable to market shocks. Similarly, she warned that the use of AI in healthcare could lead to the creation of diagnostic systems that are highly accurate, but that are based on opaque algorithms that are difficult to interpret.
Despite these concerns, Athey believes that AI has the potential to do a lot of good, and that it is important for society to find ways to harness the power of this technology while minimizing its risks. She pointed out that there are already efforts underway to develop ethical guidelines for the use of AI, and that these guidelines could play an important role in shaping the future of the technology.
Overall, Athey’s warnings about the dangers of AI are a reminder that while this technology has the potential to revolutionize society, it also poses significant risks. As AI becomes more advanced, it is important for society to find ways to ensure that it is used in a responsible and ethical manner, and that its risks are carefully managed. Only then can we be sure that AI will truly live up to its promise as a transformative technology that can make the world a better place.
