A new article in SFGate is raising questions about the potential misuse of AI tools after a startup created a drone that can stalk people as a warning about AI’s capabilities.
Andon Labs is claiming its action were in the interest of transparency and public safety. Its CEO says he is “quite concerned” about how fast AI is progressing.
This is in line with a growing wider narrative about how AI could eventually harm humanity or create catastrophe. Faculty Associate Emily Bender disputes this perspective. She argues that focusing on AI safety could actually help companies like Andon Labs.
“It certainly seems like it is in the interests of Anthropic and OpenAI to have what looks like an independent third party talking about how powerful-slash-dangerous their models are,” she said.
Bender also sees debates about possible future threats posed by AI systems as a distraction from current harms being done by the AI industry.
“What’s needed is not preventing autonomous AI from ultimately killing us all. What’s needed is actually holding companies accountable for what they’re doing,” she said.
Read the full article here: SF startup develops terrifying drone that stalks people. Its founders say it’s for safety