PODCAST:Slate Technology
TITLE:What Next TBD: Who’s Afraid of A.I.? | 2023 In Review
DATE:2023-12-31 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The episode of "What Next TBD" titled "Who's Afraid of A.I. 2023 In Review," hosted by Emily Peck, provides a comprehensive look at the significant developments in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), that characterized the year 2023. The episode discusses AI's breakthrough into the mainstream, highlighting the increased public interest and concern about its potential implications.
Key topics covered in the episode include:
Mainstream Adoption of AI: The podcast reflects on how 2023 was a pivotal year for AI, with technologies like ChatGPT gaining widespread attention. It underscores how AI became a central topic of discussion not only in tech circles but also among the general public.
Existential Fears and Real-World Harms: The show delves into the growing anxiety around the existential risks posed by AI. Concerns about a hypothetical AI-induced apocalypse are balanced with discussions of actual harms already occurring, such as wrongful arrests due to faulty facial recognition technology.
Interview with Meredith Whitaker: Meredith Whitaker, President of the Signal Foundation, provides a critical perspective on AI. She addresses the concerns raised by Jeffrey Hinton and others about AI's potential dangers. Whitaker emphasizes the immediate risks associated with AI, such as its concentration in the hands of a few corporations driven by profit motives, rather than hypothetical future scenarios.
AI, Corporations, and Public Good: The episode examines the role of corporations in AI development and their influence on the technology's trajectory. It questions whether these entities are steering AI towards the public good or prioritizing their own interests.
AI Development and Ethics: The discussion also covers the ethical considerations in AI development, including data bias, the creation of AI models, and the unequal access to these technologies.
Policy and Regulation Perspectives: The podcast explores potential policy responses and regulatory measures to address the challenges posed by AI. It discusses the need for collective action, both from below (e.g., labor organizing like the Writers' Guild of America strike) and above (e.g., policy interventions), to ensure AI development aligns with public interest.
Public Perception and Understanding of AI: Finally, the show addresses the confusion and overwhelming nature of AI headlines for the general public. It encourages a critical approach to AI narratives, focusing on who benefits from AI and who might be harmed by it.
In conclusion, "What Next TBD: Who’s Afraid of A.I. 2023 In Review" offers a nuanced exploration of the complex landscape of AI as it stood in 2023, highlighting both its potential and the concerns it raises. The episode serves as a reflection on the year's key developments in AI and a call for thoughtful engagement with this transformative technology.
