Key Points:
- There is a duel between “e/acc” supporters, who back AI development at full speed, and “decels” who advocate for caution given AI’s many potential risks.
- The AI alignment problem – the fear that AI could become uncontrollable – is central to this debate and was highlighted in the recent drama involving OpenAI.
- Companies are working towards AI alignment and safety as they face growing pressure from officials and policymakers to ensure AI technology is responsible and safe.
The divide among those who fully embrace the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) and those who advocate for caution due to potential risks was particularly highlighted in the recent OpenAI boardroom drama. This contentious debate, described as “e/acc vs. decels”, has been ongoing in Silicon Valley since 2021 and is ever-more crucial as AI continues to grow in power and influence.
“e/acc” stands for effective accelerationism, a school of thought that supports the rapid proceedings of technology and innovation. Those in support of “e/acc” believe in ushering in the next evolution of consciousness with the help of technocapital. In terms of AI, e/acc enthusiasts focus on the potential benefits of super-intelligent AI (artificial general intelligence or AGI) that could perform tasks as efficiently or better than humans.
In contrast, those supporting AI deceleration argue for slowing down AI progress due to its unpredictable risks. They emphasize the AI alignment problem, that is, the fear of AI becoming so intelligent that humans lose control over it, which could have devastating consequences.
Government officials and policymakers have begun taking note of the potential risks relating to AI and have secured voluntary commitments from major AI giants including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft for the safe and transparent development of AI technology. Likewise, President Biden has issued an executive order establishing new standards for AI safety and security, and the UK government has introduced its first state-backed organization focusing on AI navigation.
Despite the varying viewpoints and concerns surrounding AI, work continues on managing and aligning AI with human goals and ethics. These endeavors aim to prevent any existential risks to humanity. However, there are concerns that the current efforts by governments are not enough and that more substantial measures may be required in the face of potentially catastrophic advancements in AI.