US President Joe Biden viewed the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible film series, which heightened his apprehension regarding artificial intelligence. Bruce Reed, the White House chief of staff, informed the Associated Press that he watched Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One together with Biden at Camp David. As they watched, the president's worries about the potential adverse implications of AI further intensified. This occurred prior to Biden's recent declaration of an executive order concerning the utilization of AI in the United States.
"He already had concerns about the potential drawbacks of AI, but after watching that movie, he had even more reasons to worry," remarked Reed.
The film showcases a villain known as the Entity, an AI that becomes sentient. This powerful adversary proves its strength by causing the demise of multiple characters through the sinking of a submarine early in the movie. Reed mentioned that Biden, like everyone else, has been both impressed and concerned by AI. Biden had experienced seeing fabricated AI images of himself and his dog, observed its capability to generate poor poetry, and witnessed the astonishing and unnerving technology of voice cloning. This technology can create an entire artificial conversation using just a three-second snippet of someone's voice.
Biden acknowledged the immense possibilities of AI while recognizing its potential drawbacks. As a result, he took action by signing an executive order to regulate this technology.
The order mandates that AI developers must disclose safety test results to the government. Furthermore, the National Institute of Standards and Technology will establish a set of standards to enhance safety measures and minimize potential risks. Additionally, the Commerce Department of the US has been tasked with labeling and watermarking AI-generated content to indicate its origin.
Sam Altman, the founder and CEO of OpenAI's ChatGPT company, has expressed his concern regarding the potential dangers of AI, emphasizing the need for government regulation. Elon Musk, who played a crucial role in the establishment of OpenAI, has similarly urged for caution in the field and proposed a six-month pause in the development of certain AI domains due to the significant risks they pose to society and humanity. The widespread apprehension includes fears of job displacement, heightened dissemination of misinformation through AI-generated visuals, and numerous other potential pitfalls, all of which have resulted in growing calls for regulatory measures. The use of AI in Hollywood is a prominent issue, notably highlighted during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
But many companies, including Microsoft, see tremendous potential in AI technology to generate substantial profits. In a recent partnership, Microsoft reportedly invested $10 billion in working with OpenAI to enhance its AI objectives, aiming to integrate AI into all its products, including Xbox.
According to Microsoft president Brad Smith, Biden's executive order on AI represents a significant advancement in AI governance. To access the complete terms of Biden's executive order on AI, visit the White House website.
As for the Mission: Impossible series, Dead Reckoning Part Two has been delayed to 2025 and will have a new title when it comes out.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the escalating concerns regarding AI expressed by President Biden and others. On the one hand, I understand the potential dangers of AI and the need for regulations to ensure its responsible development and use. On the other hand, I am excited about the possibilities that AI offers and believe it has the potential to bring about positive changes in the world.
I think it's important to remember that AI is still in its early stages of development and that it's up to us to shape its future. By working together, we can ensure that AI is used for good and that it benefits all of society.