The use of artificial intelligence and automation represents an “existential threat to human civilization,” said Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.[1] He added that AI is a special case for which regulatory action should be proactive instead of reactive.
“We can’t be reactive when it comes to regulating AI,” he said. “Then it will be too late.”
The comments were echoed by other big names in the financial world, including Ray Dalio, founder and co-chair of Bridgewater Associates, and Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman. Dalio and Schwarzman predict an economic downturn that, coupled with the threat of AI and automation to job prospects, could result in a severe shock to the capitalist democratic system.
“The technology and increasing use of artificial intelligence and increased productivity will also substantially increase the wealth gap, the job gap, the wealth and ideological conflicts within countries,” Dalio said.
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Amazon’s manufacturer of doorbell cameras, Ring LLC, has partnered with more than 400 police forces across the United States, creating what privacy and anti-surveillance groups are calling a surveillance state with no oversight. There are currently no regulatory boundaries for the surveillance technology — Amazon can deploy Ring across the U.S. in any way it sees fit — including partnering with law enforcement agencies that gain a backdoor to video footage without having to obtain a warrant.
“We can’t trust Amazon to do what’s necessary to protect us,” said Evan Greer,[2] deputy director of Fight for the Future. “Millions of Americans buy Amazon Ring products unaware of the dangers the technology and partnerships pose. Amazon wants to keep it that way. We need Congress to publicly investigate Amazon’s surveillance dragnet and hold a hearing to openly question Amazon Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff on dangers Ring technology and these partnerships pose to this country.”