Among the potentially extinction-level crisis on the horizon for humankind—which include climate change and the threat of nuclear war—is the creation and development of artificial intelligence or AI.  The debate about the destructive potential on a global scale of AI is eerily reminiscent of the heated discussion around the use of nuclear power as the Second World War ended.  Those American scientists who argued to continue developing atomic technology pointed to its beneficial aspects and the assistance it could give society in terms of its use in medicine, energy, industry etc.  On the other hand, scientists who warned of the dangers of atomic power pointed to the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  That, alas, did not dramatically change public opinion.  The debate around AI is broadly analogous.  Those who favour developments in AI underline its use as a tool for the comfort and betterment of humans.  Those who see the dangers, however, worry about the future when the roles may be reversed and AI becomes master and man its slave.

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The article was co-authored by:

Ambassador Akbar S. Ahmed, American University, Washington, D.C. and Mitchell Institute International Advisory Board member

Dr Amineh Hoti, Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge

Frankie Martin, American University, Washington, D.C.