Statistics seminar

Abstract: Alan Turing speculated in 1951 about a time point in the future when machines “outstrip our feeble powers” in such a way that we lose our position as the most intelligent species on the planet. Current AI trends suggest that we are rapidly approaching that time point. This is playing with fire, because at such a time point our continued wellbeing hinges largely on what the first superintelligent machines are motivated to do. If their goals and values are aligned with ours, then a brilliant future awaits us, while if not, then most likely it is (in the words of OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman) “lights out for everyone”. Making this transition go well involves considerable technological and societal challenges.