The relationship between technological progress and moral advancement has long been debated. The idea that the spread of modern knowledge and scientific progress would lead to a better human species has proven to be a promise unfulfilled. Despite rapid technological development, wars, conquests, and poverty persist, and even slavery has only been banned in regulations, not in practice. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima is a prime example of scientific and technical progress coexisting with moral regression.
The concept of separating research from its consequences is crucial. The discovery of atomic fission was made within Western culture, but the decision to drop the bomb on hundreds of thousands of Japanese people was also enabled by the same mechanism of fragmentation and dissociation between ends and means, morality and knowledge. Today, humanity is faced with a new turning point. The rapid progress of generative AI has sparked both promises and concerns. This summer, American tech giants sounded the alarm and called for better control of this technology.
The risks of uncontrolled AI are real, with some even fearing "extinction of humanity." The most worrying aspect is that world leaders do not seem to have taken these warnings seriously. Apart from the salutary position of Pope Francis and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, few political leaders appear to be concerned about the potential consequences of uncontrolled AI. An exception is the German-Canadian initiative "for an AI in the service of humanity." However, geopolitical rivalries have taken precedence over regulation.
Donald Trump rejected the warnings of American tech giants, believing that any regulation would give free rein to rival China. However, the fundamental issue today is to achieve global governance of AI. The previous generation had the intelligence to establish mechanisms for mutual control of nuclear weapons and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Even in this area, we are witnessing a dismantling of the treaties of the Cold War era, which, despite their limitations, had the merit of avoiding a devastating nuclear war for humanity.
The initiative "for an AI in the service of humanity" launched by Germany and Canada is a step in the right direction. This initiative aims to promote the development of AI that serves humanity and ensures that its benefits are shared by all. It also highlights the need for international cooperation to address the challenges posed by AI. The question of how to regulate AI while promoting innovation and progress remains a significant challenge.
The crisis of global governance is a pressing issue. The history of humanity has shown that when geopolitical rivalries take precedence over cooperation between major powers, it can only lead to disaster. The emergence of AI has highlighted the need for global cooperation and governance. It is essential to establish a framework that ensures the development of AI is aligned with human values and promotes the well-being of all.
In conclusion, the governance crisis of AI is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. The development of AI must be aligned with human values and promote the well-being of all. It is essential to establish a global framework for the governance of AI, ensuring that its benefits are shared by all and that its risks are mitigated. The future of humanity depends on it.
Key points
- The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both promises and concerns, with some warning of potential extinction of humanity if left uncontrolled.
