The rapid evolution that artificial intelligence has shown in recent months is dividing the opinion of experts. A few days ago, more than 1,000 figures from the technological world, led by Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak, among others, published an open letter asking that the development of models more powerful than GPT-4 be halted for at least six months. However, they have already come across the first great opposition voice: that of Bill Gates.
The co-founder of Microsoft came to the crossroads of the request made by his colleagues, and assured that stopping AI training will not solve the challenges that arise. in dialogue with ReutersBill Gates indicated that, according to his point of view, the focus of the alleged problem that is intended to be addressed is being mistaken.
According to the businessman, the best thing would be to analyze how to take better advantage of artificial intelligence models to end inequalities globally. In addition, he said that it is very difficult to understand how one would go about putting a global pause on work on technologies like GPT-4.
“I don’t think asking a particular group to pause will solve the challenges. Clearly, there are huge benefits to these things. What we have to do is identify the difficult areas. I really don’t understand who they are telling should stop. Neither, if all the countries of the world would agree to stop, and why stop. But there are many different opinions in this area,” Bill Gates said.
Bill Gates crosses Elon Musk and other ‘experts’ for the development of AI
Bill Gates’s comments seem to have their share of mischief. After all, the open letter pushed by Elon Musk and other experts was addressed to “all AI labs”, although it seemed to be directed at one in particular: OpenAI. Not for nothing, the specific mention of GPT-4. In fact, Sam Altman, its CEO, was one of the notable absentees from the list of signatories. Something that is not by chance, by the way.
Nor is it a coincidence that Bill Gates does not believe that work should be stopped on a technology over which Microsoft today seems to have an advantage. Let’s not forget that those from Redmond have invested a lot of money in OpenAI and today they are reaping the first fruits, with the implementation of their technologies in their products and services of massive reach.
Eye, This does not mean that Bill Gates only cares about taking care of his company’s business. The mogul and philanthropist has said in the past that he believes artificial intelligence is crucial to the future of education. But also to combat climate change and to achieve the next great advances in medicine. He even believes that technologies like GPT-4 and ChatGPT can help us work less.
Of course, the Microsoft co-founder also recognized the existence of logical fears about the development of future AI models. He referred to it in an article titled The AI era has begun, which he published weeks ago. Nevertheless, called for finding a balance between the different positions on the issue.
“We should try to balance fears about the downsides of AI, which are understandable and valid, with its ability to improve people’s lives. To take full advantage of this remarkable new technology, we must protect ourselves against the risks and spread the benefits to as many people as possible,” he said at the time.