Hundreds of notable figures, including tech leaders, celebrities, and politicians, have come together to call for a halt on the development of advanced artificial intelligence, often referred to as “superintelligence.” This statement was released on Wednesday and has gained over 1,000 signatures.
The push for this pause comes amid concerns about the potential risks associated with superintelligence. Companies like Meta, OpenAI, and xAI, led by figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, are working on technology that could outperform humans in nearly all cognitive tasks within the next decade. The statement highlights worries about economic displacement, loss of personal freedoms, and even existential threats to humanity.
The “Statement on Superintelligence” is concise, consisting of just 30 words. It calls for a ban on developing superintelligence until there is a broad scientific agreement that it can be done safely and with public support.
Prominent signers include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and AI pioneers Yoshua Bengio and Geoffrey Hinton. Bengio expressed that superintelligence could surpass human intelligence in just a few years, emphasizing the need for careful design to prevent harm from AI systems.
The Future of Life Institute, which seeks to guide technology away from extreme risks, promoted the statement. Its president, Max Tegmark, reached out to major AI developers, hoping to gather support, though he did not expect many to sign. Tegmark highlighted the intense pressure these companies face to keep up with one another in the race for AI advancement.
Notable signers also include former U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, along with various political figures from both parties. Even celebrities like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle added their names to the document. The statement also received backing from media personalities and faith leaders who share concerns about the implications of advanced AI.
Both Altman and Musk have previously warned about the dangers of advanced AI. Altman once described superhuman machine intelligence as potentially the greatest threat to humanity, while Musk has stated that there is a significant risk of catastrophic outcomes.
As the conversation around AI continues to evolve, this collective call for caution reflects growing unease about the rapid pace of technological development and its potential consequences for society.
