Doomers

Michael J. Totten / City Journal: A look at the AI revolution, reminiscent of the industrial revolution but unfolding over years rather than centuries, and the views of AI optimists and doomers — Machines can now talk with us in ways that aren't preprogrammed. They can draw pictures, write passable (if generic) … Michael J. Totten / City Journal: A look at the AI revolution, reminiscent of the industrial revolution but unfolding over years rather than centuries, and the views of AI…

Shortly after ChatGPT’s release, a cadre of critics rose to fame claiming AI would soon kill us. As wondrous as a computer speaking in natural language might be, it could use that intelligence to level the planet. The thinking went mainstream via letters calling for research pauses and 60 Minutes interviews amplifying existential concerns. Leaders like Barack Obama publicly worried about AI autonomously hacking the financial system — or worse. And last week, President Biden issued an executive order imposing some…

The excitement around the London arrival of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was palpable from the queue that snaked its way around the University College London building ahead of his speech on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of eager-faced students and admirers of OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT had come here to watch the UK leg of Altman’s world tour, where he expects to travel to around 17 cities. This week, he has already visited Paris and Warsaw. Last week he was in Lagos. Next, he’s on to Munich.But the queue was soundtracked by a…