By At a time when major tech companies are actively integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, several current and former employees of OpenAI and Google DeepMind have issued an open letter warning about the potential risks associated with advanced AI. The letter also says that companies making AI technology aren’t being watched closely enough.
According to a report from MacRumors, at least 13 employees signed the letter, including seven former OpenAI employees, four current OpenAI employees, one former Google DeepMind employee, and one current Google DeepMind employee.
The employees suggested that there are a number of risks that we are facing from AI development, including further entrenchment of existing inequalities, manipulation and misinformation, and loss of control of autonomous AI systems, which could lead to human extinction.
The report has further mentioned that OpenAI has threatened employees with loss of vested equity for speaking up. They also make them sign agreements that stop them from criticizing the company. AI companies have strong financial incentives to forge ahead with development and to avoid sharing information about their protective measures and risk levels.
The letter says that not all companies will share information willingly. “We do not think they can all be relied upon to share it voluntarily/ So long as there is no effective government oversight of these corporations, current and former employees are among the few people who can hold them accountable to the public. Yet broad confidentiality agreements block us from voicing our concerns, except to the very companies that may be failing to address these issues. Ordinary whistleblower protections are insufficient because they focus on illegal activity, whereas many of the risks we are concerned about are not yet regulated,” reads the letter.
The employees want AI companies to provide strong protections for whistleblowers who speak up about AI risks. The letter comes as Apple prepares to announce multiple AI-powered features for iOS 18 and other software updates on June 10. According to reports, Apple is developing its own AI features for apps throughout the operating system. Additionally, they’ve partnered with OpenAI to include ChatGPT features in iOS 18.
