The Promise of AI for Good
A Glimmer of Hope for Responsible AI Collaboration
Fortunately, a glimmer of hope for a responsible approach to AI collaboration is appearing now as Donald Trump recently posted on January 17 that he’d restarted direct dialogue with Chairman Xi Jinping regarding various areas of collaboration, and given past cooperation should continue to be "partners and friends." The outcome of the TikTok drama, putting Trump at odds with sharp China critics in his own administration and Congress, will be a preview of how his efforts to put US-China relations on a less confrontational trajectory.
The Promise of AI for Good
Western mass media usually focuses on attention-grabbing issues described in terms like the "existential risks of evil AI." Unfortunately, the AI safety experts who get the most coverage often recite the same narratives, scaring the public. In reality, no credible research shows that more capable AI will become increasingly evil. We need to challenge the current false dichotomy of pure accelerationism versus doomerism to allow for a model more like collaborative acceleration.
The Perception of AI in Western and Developing Countries
It is important to note the significant difference between the way AI is perceived in Western developed countries and developing countries. In developed countries, the public sentiment toward AI is 60% to 70% negative, while in the developing markets, the positive ratings are 60% to 80%. People in the latter places have seen technology transform their lives for the better in the past decades and are hopeful AI will help solve the remaining issues they face by improving education, health care, and productivity, thereby elevating their quality of life and giving them greater world standing. What Western populations often fail to realize is that those same benefits could directly improve their lives as well, given the high levels of inequity even in developed markets.
Collaborative Acceleration
Once we get to the next phase, AI will help us accelerate scientific discovery, develop new drugs, extend our health span, reduce our work obligations, and ensure access to high-quality education for all. This may sound idealistic, but given current trends, most of this can become a reality within a generation, and maybe sooner. To get there, we’ll need more advanced AI systems, which will be a much more challenging goal if we divide up compute/data resources and research talent pools.
The Escalating AI Competition
The escalating AI competition between the US and China poses significant threats to both nations and to the entire world. The risks inherent in this rivalry are not hypothetical – they could lead to outcomes that threaten global peace, economic stability, and technological progress. Framing the development of artificial intelligence as a zero-sum race undermines opportunities for collective advancement and security. Rather than succumbing to the rhetoric of confrontation, it is imperative that the US and China, along with their allies, shift toward collaboration and shared governance.
Recommendations for Policymakers
Reduce National Security Dominance Over AI Policy
- Reduce national security dominance over AI policy. Both the US and China must recalibrate their approach to AI development, moving away from viewing AI primarily as a military asset. Instead, policymakers should focus on civilian applications of AI that can directly benefit their populations and address global challenges, such as health care, education, and climate change.
Promote Bilateral and Multilateral AI Governance
- Establish a robust dialogue between the US, China, and other international stakeholders is crucial for the development of common AI governance standards. This includes agreeing on ethical norms, safety measures, and transparency guidelines for advanced AI technologies.
Expand Investment in Detection and Mitigation of AI Misuse
- Dramatically increase funding for and international cooperation in detecting and mitigating AI misuse. The risk of AI misuse by bad actors, whether through misinformation campaigns, telecom, power, or financial system attacks, or cybersecurity attacks with the potential to destabilize society, is the biggest existential threat to the world today.
Create Incentives for Collaborative AI Research
- Governments should provide incentives for academic and industry collaborations across borders. By creating joint funding programs and research initiatives, the US and China can foster an environment where the best minds from both nations contribute to breakthroughs in AI that serve humanity as a whole.
Establish Trust-Building Measures
- Reduce import restrictions for civilian AI use cases, and establish data-sharing agreements, joint projects in non-military AI, and exchanges between AI researchers. Reducing the risk of miscommunication and misinterpretation can help build trust and pave the way for deeper cooperation on joint research.
Support the Development of a Global AI Safety Coalition
- A coalition that includes major AI developers from multiple countries could serve as a neutral platform for addressing ethical and safety concerns. This coalition would bring together leading AI researchers, ethicists, and policymakers to ensure that AI progresses in a way that is safe, fair, and beneficial to all.
Shift the Focus Toward AI for Global Challenges
- It is crucial that the world’s two AI superpowers use their capabilities to tackle global issues, such as climate change, disease, and poverty. By demonstrating the positive societal impacts of AI through tangible projects and presenting it not as a threat but as a powerful tool for good, the US and China can reshape public perception of AI.
Conclusion
Our choice is stark but simple: We can proceed down a path of confrontation that will almost certainly lead to mutual harm, or we can pivot toward collaboration, which offers the potential for a prosperous and stable future for all. Artificial intelligence holds the promise to solve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity, but realizing this potential depends on whether we choose to race against each other or work together.
FAQs
- What is the significance of AI in today’s world?
AI has the potential to transform various aspects of our lives, from healthcare to education to productivity. - How can policymakers promote responsible AI development?
By reducing national security dominance over AI policy, promoting bilateral and multilateral AI governance, expanding investment in detection and mitigation of AI misuse, and creating incentives for collaborative AI research. - What are the benefits of AI for global challenges?
AI can help us tackle global issues, such as climate change, disease, and poverty, by accelerating scientific discovery, developing new drugs, extending our health span, reducing our work obligations, and ensuring access to high-quality education for all.
