Saving artificial intelligence from humanity


(Original article is featured here: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/saving-artificial-intelligence-from-humanity
– Straits Times, 25 March 2024)

Written By:

Professor Simon Chesterman
David Marshall Professor and Vice Provost (Educational Innovation), National University of Singapore
Dean of NUS College
Senior Director of AI Governance, AI Singapore

AI is poised to disrupt almost every aspect of the economy – and, perhaps, our politics.

How can we best position ourselves to reap the benefits of AI, while minimising or mitigating the risks?

These are not limited to the possibility of misuse of AI, in areas from bias to electoral interference – and longer-term concerns about the impact on jobs or AI escaping our control.

The risks also include “missed” uses of AI, if we fail to take advantage of opportunities to spread the benefits to all stakeholders.

Such conversations often proceed on the assumption that AI operates independently of human norms and institutions – or will do so in the very near future. That day may come, but governance of AI for the moment needs to focus on the people developing, deploying and using it.

For the real danger is not AI, but us.