A+AI: Threats to Society, Remedies, and Governance

TL;DR

This paper discusses the societal threats posed by AI and algorithms, proposes countermeasures, and advocates for governance actions to mitigate risks while fostering progress.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of 'A+AI' to encompass both algorithms and AI, and provides a comprehensive framework for threat mitigation and governance strategies.

Findings

Certain countermeasures can effectively mitigate specific threats.

Governance can accelerate AI progress by reducing social chaos.

Proposed regulations could improve transparency and accountability.

Abstract

This document focuses on the threats, especially near-term threats, that Artificial Intelligence (AI) brings to society. Most of the threats discussed here can result from any algorithmic process, not just AI; in addition, defining AI is notoriously difficult. For both reasons, it is important to think of "A+AI": Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence. In addition to the threats, this paper discusses countermeasures to them, and it includes a table showing which countermeasures are likely to mitigate which threats. Thoughtful governance could manage the risks without seriously impeding progress; in fact, chances are it would accelerate progress by reducing the social chaos that would otherwise be likely. The paper lists specific actions government should take as soon as possible, namely: * Require all social media platforms accessible in the U.S. to offer users verification that their accounts are owned by citizens, and to display every account's verification status * Establish regulations to require that all products created or significantly modified with A+AI be clearly labeled as such; to restrict use of generative AI to create likenesses of persons; and to require creators of generative AI software to disclose materials used to train their software and to compensate the creators of any copyrighted material used * Fund a crash project of research on mitigating the threats * Fund educational campaigns to raise awareness of the threats