At the 2024 World Laureates Forum in Shanghai, distinguished scientists highlighted the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society, underscoring both its potential benefits and inherent risks.
Christopher Pissarides, the 2010 Nobel Prize winner in economics and Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science, emphasized the transformative power of AI during his keynote speech on “AI at Work.” “While AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and improve our lives, recognizing its potential downsides is crucial,” he stated.
Pissarides noted that many choices in AI development are not aligned with “improving human well-being.” He pointed out that in the labor market, role changes are becoming more prevalent than job changes. “In the era of AI, jobs will be created and disappear daily. Employees should pay more attention to the skills needed to stand firm in a world full of AI,” he advised.
He also highlighted the challenges posed by generative AI. “Traditional AI relies on data, while generative AI can make decisions and even pose a threat to professional jobs,” said Pissarides. “Many industries need to rethink their recruitment and training processes.”
Adding to the discourse, Jon Kleinberg, a 2024 World Laureates Association Prize winner and professor of computer science at Cornell University, addressed potential biases and cultural homogenization arising from AI during his speech at Fudan University on October 21.
“Algorithms may not have inherent biases, but they can reflect the biases present in the data they are trained on,” warned Kleinberg. “Even if there is a very rich amount of data, data sometimes cannot 100 percent restore the truth of the world.” He cautioned that widespread use of the same algorithms for decision-making could lead to cultural uniformity, resulting in highly convergent decisions and cultures.
Gong Ke, executive dean of the Chinese Academy of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, shared his insights at the forum on October 26. “Artificial intelligence did not bring threats as soon as it was born. Instead, threats are accompanied by opportunities,” he remarked. Gong emphasized the importance of safety, reliability, and trustworthiness in AI development.
The 2024 World Laureates Forum will continue until October 27, hosting dozens of forums and discussions on cutting-edge scientific topics.
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AI's double-edged sword: Top scientists sound alarm at 2024 WLA Forum
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