Researchers express concerns regarding the absence of safeguards and regulation amidst the impressive advancements in various systems.

Scientists are divided over an open letter that calls for a pause in the development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The letter, signed by prominent figures such as Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak, proposes a 6-month moratorium to allow time for AI companies and regulators to establish safeguards against potential risks associated with the technology. The rapid advancement of AI, exemplified by Microsoft-backed company OpenAI’s release of image generator DALL-E 2 and text-generating chatbots ChatGPT and GPT-4, has caught many off guard. Concerns include societal impacts such as job displacement and the spread of disinformation. Some researchers are critical of the letter, arguing that known harms, such as disinformation and bias, should be addressed immediately. Others worry about privacy and security risks, with hackers potentially exploiting AI systems. Although some problems, such as detecting AI-generated content and preventing the generation of harmful images, remain challenging, there are ongoing efforts to find solutions. The pause called for in the letter is unlikely to happen, as some CEOs and experts argue that existing safety measures are sufficient and advocate for responsible research practices, including collaboration with independent experts. The regulation of AI varies across regions, with the European Union planning to implement the AI Act this year to address different levels of risk, and the Biden administration proposing voluntary guidelines to protect the rights of US citizens.